UNC Quarterbacks Shake Up Preseason ACC Rankings: Surprising Standouts Emerge
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
- UNC’s starting quarterback position is up for grabs between returning QB Max Johnson, transfer Gio Lopez, and freshman Bryce Baker.
- Johnson is recovering from an injury, while Lopez brings exciting dual-threat capabilities and Baker impressive high school stats.
- USA Today ranks the Johnson/Lopez duo 17th in the ACC, just behind Virginia’s projected starter.
- Lopez has a significant NIL deal, which could factor into the quarterback competition.
If NIL money plays any part in who starts for the Tar Heels, Lopez has the upper hand. As part of Lopez’ commitment to UNC, he obtained a 2-year, million NIL contract.Johnson and Lopez are one spot behind Virginia’s Chandler Morris, plus one spot ahead of Louisville’s Miller Moss. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik leads the ACC preseason QB rankings.Johnson has 5,923 career passing yards, 47 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. North Carolina’s QB competition is one to watch as the season approaches, beginning with a September 1 date against TCU under the Kenan Stadium Lights.
Max Johnson and Conner Harrell both played in the 2024 opener at Minnesota, but Arkansas transfer Jacolby Criswell ended up starting most of the season. This year, Johnson goes up against the likes of South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez and 4-star, class of 2025 signee Bryce Baker.”Johnson’s season was over before it really got started when he was injured in last year’s opener at Minnesota, and he was still unable to participate in spring drills for new Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick,” Eddie Timanus wrote. “That might give the edge in the competition to Lopez, who transfers in from South Alabama, where he led the Jaguars to the program’s first bowl win.”
The Tar Heels’ quarterback saga is shaping up to be a riveting storyline this season, with a trio of contenders vying to claim the starting nod. Max Johnson, the seasoned signal-caller nursing his way back from a tough leg injury, faces stiff competition from South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, whose dual-threat prowess and hefty NIL contract have everyone buzzing. Adding to the intrigue is Bryce Baker, a freshman phenom fresh off an eye-popping high school career that promises to shake up the depth chart. While USA Today slots Johnson and Lopez as a tandem ranked 17th in the ACC—snugly nestled just behind Virginia’s projected starter—the internal battle at UNC carries all the makings of an electrifying preseason watch. With the season opener against TCU looming under the Kenan Stadium lights, all eyes will be glued to this quarterback competition, which might just define the Tar Heels’ offensive identity in the months ahead. LEARN MOREFor the second-straight year, your North Carolina Tar Heels will enter their football season with a quarterback competition.
USA TODAY Sports thinks that either Johnson or Lopez will be the starter for North Carolina. In their preseason ACC quarterback rankings, USA TODAY Sports ranks the Johnson-Lopez duo 17th amongst likely conference starters.Though Johnson is UNC’s most-experienced option, he’s working his way back from a broken leg sustained at Minnesota. Lopez is the most exciting option, throwing for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 465 rushing yards and seven more scores. Baker threw for 6,605 yards and 79 touchdowns during his two season as East Forsyth’s (Kernersville, N.C.) starter, so he’s another viable choice.
Post Comment