Sources: Ex-Arkansas QB Criswell goes back to UNC

• Pete Thamel, ESPNApr 30, 2024, 11:16 AM ET

North Carolina’s thin quarterback room is getting a familiar addition.Former UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell, who invested the 2023 season at Arkansas, is returning to play at North Carolina, sources informed ESPN. Criswell started his profession at UNC from 2020 to 2022, moving after getting beat out by Drake Maye to end up being the starter for the 2022 season.Criswell, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, is a former ESPN 300 hire

who was well regarded by the Tar Heels and their staff. Getting in summer season camp for UNC in 2022, the quarterback competition was considered a tight race.Once Maye protected the task, Criswell transferred to Arkansas, which is his home state.UNC recruited Criswell out of Arkansas in the class of 2020, as he was ESPN’s No. 10 dual-threat quarterback. He’s a larger quarterback at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds.Criswell enters the 2024 season with appearances in 18 games. He has tossed for 347 backyards, rushed for 177 and accounted for 5 TDs in his profession.

He began the Wofford game in 2021, filling in for the hurt Sam Howell, and finished 11 of 19 passes for 125 yards while rushing 5 times for 66 yards and a touchdown.He returns as an appealing choice in UNC’s quarterback space. Transfer Max Johnson began the UNC spring game. Johnson is 12-10 in his profession as a starter, going 4-4 at Texas A&M and 8-6 throughout his time at LSU.The only other returning UNC quarterback with starting experience is Conner Harrell, who started the 30-10 loss to West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Because game, Harrell went 18-for-27 for 199 lawns with 2

interceptions and a touchdown.UNC also has class of 2024 quarterback Michael Merdinger, who dedicated in May 2023. He has actually 3 listed offers from power conference schools. UNC has a four-star commitment from Bryce Baker for the class of 2025.