Seeking QB after Maye, UNC adds former backup via transfer portal

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

North Carolina is adding to its quarterback room – and bringing in a familiar face.

Former UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell, who played for Arkansas in 2023, is returning to the Tar Heels, according to a report from ESPN and others. Criswell played sparingly as a backup at UNC from 2020 to 2022. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Tar Heels completed spring practice on April 22 with sophomore Conner Harrell and Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson competing for the starting job to replace Drake Maye, who was the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft.

The competition is expected to continue through the summer and fall.

"There's not a lot of difference," head coach Mack Brown said. "They're both good. They both can run, they both can throw. ... They both really have big arms. It gets back to decision making and it gets back to accuracy with your throws. Those are going to be the things that separate quarterbacks in the end and leadership."

Harrell started the Tar Heels' bowl game against West Virginia, going 22-for-33 passing for 270 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

Johnson played two seasons at LSU and two seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to UNC for his final season over the winter. He's played in 30 games in his career, throwing for 5,853 and 47 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

After spring practice, Brown said the program needed to bring in a fourth quarterback but said it would be difficult to find the right fit.

"Is it fair to Conner and Max to bring in somebody right now when they've missed spring?" Brown said. "How many reps can you give them because you've got to get the other two ready to play. Are you bringing in a guy that might be the starter the next year? Are you bringing in a guy that might be the starter if somebody gets hurt or at mid-season? And that limits your choices."

Bur Brown continued: "How many can you get ready? That's kind of what we're looking at right now. We need a fourth one. How does it fit? It's got to be the right mix, it's got to be the right fit. It's got to be somebody who understands the first day you get here, you're not going to be in that mix as a starter."

Criswell played four games at Arkansas in 2023, completing 17 of 27 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns. In his career, he's completed 35 of 58 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns.

The Tar Heels open the season at Minnesota on Aug. 29.