Brown: UNC can be much better regardless of losing Maye

Andrea Adelson, ESPN Elder WriterJul 25, 2024, 12:13 PM ET

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• ACC reporter.
• Signed up with ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.CHARLOTTE, N.C.– North Carolina has

not named a starting quarterback to replace first-round pick Drake Maye, but coach Mack Brown says the Tar Heels have an opportunity to be a better group no matter who wins the competition.Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson and Conner Harrell head into fall camp vying for the starting task. It is the second time in 4 years the Tar Heels must replace a quarterback who has actually gone off to the NFL– Sam Howell in 2022 and Maye to the New England Patriots in April with the No. 3 pick.Given the method both Howell and Maye dipped into North Carolina, the offenses tended to be more quarterback focused. Now, there could be a massive shift–

with first-team All-ACC running back Omarion Hampton returning.”I believe we can have a better opportunity to have a better group without as much hype at quarterback,”Brown said.” We’ll run the ball much better. We’ll play much better defense. We’ll play complementary football much better. With Sam and Drake, you’re trying to win the Heisman. You’re tossing it whenever. “So we finally may have a running group that can throw the ball, which will help our defense. We have not had the ability to do any of that.” Brown noted that North Carolina remained in the exact same position 2 years earlier– with Maye and Jacolby Criswell in a quarterback competition throughout fall camp, working to replace Howell. Criswell wound up moving to Arkansas but has actually now returned to North Carolina and will remain in the mix as well.”2 years ago, we didn’t know who was going to play,” Brown said.”And we were under the radar, and everybody stated Sam Howell’s gone? They’re not going to be as excellent. We were 9-1 to start the season. So I believe it’s the very same.

Max has thrown 900 balls in the SEC. We’re going to be much better than people believe we are on the offensive line. Our receivers are great. We’ve got maybe the best running back in our league, in the nation, and we have actually got some excellent ones behind him. We’ve got a great tight end room.”So I believe the offense is going to be really excellent. Conner runs 4.4. He’s truly wise. He’s really great. Jacolby’s played in the SEC, he’s had fun with us. So we’ve got 3 actually skilled quarterbacks.

“Maye tossed for 3,608 lawns with 24 touchdown passes and 9 interceptions last season, while Hampton emerged out of the backfield, rushing for 1,504 lawns and 15 touchdowns. However for the 2 years Maye began at quarterback, North Carolina started the season strong however faded. The 9-1 start in 2022 caused an ACC national championship look, however North Carolina lost its last four games to go 9-5. After starting 6-0 last season, North Carolina lost five of its last seven games and completed 8-5. Brown made a change at defensive organizer, working with previous Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins to revamp that group. However the focus remains on the quarterbacks.Brown said he had a discussion with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey about developing a procedure for fall camp where one quarterback can separate himself. “I stated,’Let’s take 5 things that they need to do to win games, and after that we’re going to put them in

skirmish scenarios especially before in practice, and we’re going to grade those five things, ‘”Brown stated.” So no turnovers, really fast choices, get the ball out of your hands, don’t take a quarterback sack. It’s not your fault if the tackle misses, however if you’re holding the ball, we’re going to put it on you. We’re going to grade those guys very harshly. And they’re going to need to have that pressure of figuring it out. But I think they’re all 3 good enough.”Brown also did not eliminate the possibility of playing both Johnson and Harrell provided their unique skill sets. Johnson is on his 3rd school and fifth offensive coordinator, however he brings starting experience Harrell does not have. Harrell is a dual risk with speed, and he invested last season as the backup to Maye, starting the bowl game against West Virginia.”I believe a big thing for me is consistency,”Harrell stated. “Seeing how consistent Drake was throughout practice, throughout games, extremely even-keeled not a lot of ups and downs. That’s an extremely tough thing to dominate. However Drake actually mastered that, and I’m trying to design after that consistency. “For his part, Johnson stated he can take experiences at his previous stops to help him at North Carolina.” I think simply truthfully gaining from each and every circumstance I’ve remained in has been so important for me when it concerns leadership,” Johnson said. “It begins with leading by example first due to the fact that you’ve got to earn everyone’s regard, then you can take control of vocally. I

believe simply truthfully taking pleasure in the whole thing due to the fact that there’s so much pressure, there’s so much that enters into this, finding the little pieces of delight throughout the journey.”