The University of North Carolina (UNC) football program has made a significant offseason addition by securing the commitment of Max Johnson, an experienced quarterback from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) transfer portal. Johnson, who previously played for Texas A&M and LSU, announced his decision to join the Tar Heels on Wednesday.

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-6 and weighing 230 pounds, Johnson hails from Watkinsville, Georgia. He entered the transfer portal last Sunday, and as a graduate transfer, he will be immediately eligible to play for UNC. With two years of eligibility remaining, Johnson's addition brings valuable experience to a young and inexperienced quarterback room in Chapel Hill, particularly with the anticipated departure of top NFL prospect Drake Maye.

Over his four seasons and 22 starts in the SEC, Johnson has accumulated impressive numbers, amassing 5,853 passing yards and 47 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. In his most recent season at LSU in 2021, Johnson started all 12 games, throwing for 2,815 yards with 27 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 60.16 percent of his passes.

Johnson's 2022 season at Texas A&M was cut short due to a broken hand, resulting in him taking a redshirt. Similarly, this past season was also marred by injuries, with broken ribs ending his campaign prematurely. Despite the setbacks, Johnson managed to appear in eight games with five starts, completing 62.1 percent of his throws for 1,452 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Back in 2020, Johnson was highly regarded as the No. 10 quarterback and the No. 253 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His decision to commit to UNC comes as no surprise, considering his previous involvement with the program. As a young quarterback, Johnson attended UNC camps for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017. In addition, he also participated in a Junior Day event at the university.

Johnson's family has strong ties to both football and the state of North Carolina. His father, Brad Johnson, was a standout quarterback in high school, graduating from Black Mountain (N.C.) High School in 1987. Brad later went on to have a successful career in the NFL, playing for teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Redskins. Notably, Brad Johnson led the Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Max Johnson's mother, Nikki, has a sports background as well, having excelled as a volleyball player at South Florida. His brother, Jake, is currently a sophomore tight end playing for Texas A&M, while his uncle, Mark Richt, is a respected former head coach for both Georgia and Miami.

The addition of Max Johnson to the UNC football program is seen as a significant boost, bringing not only a talented and experienced quarterback to the roster but also a connection to the rich football history of North Carolina. With Johnson's arrival, the Tar Heels aim to strengthen their position in the competitive ACC conference and build towards a successful future on the gridiron.