Max Johnson’s debut season at North Carolina ended abruptly. He suited up only for one game before suffering a severe injury during the opener against Minnesota, fracturing his leg on a sack late in the third quarter.

Initially unsure of the injury’s nature, Johnson was carted off the field, but his journey didn’t end there. After five surgeries, he is competing to reclaim his starting job against transfer Gio Lopez.

“It’s been a crazy, crazy journey,” Johnson expressed during UNC’s fall camp media day. “I remember lying on the field, frustrated that I couldn’t play after all the preparation.”

As he trains for the upcoming season, Johnson is fully cleared to participate in fall camp, feeling healthy nearly a year after the injury. He missed the previous spring’s camp but now joins his teammates as they prepare for the season ahead. Continuing to face challenges after his traumatic injury, he is driven to regain his place as a capable starter.

In his preliminary appearance for the Tar Heels, Johnson completed 12 of 19 passes for 71 yards, alongside a rushing touchdown, despite the match’s adverse weather conditions. His overall college career has seen him pass for 5,923 yards with an impressive touchdown to interception ratio of 47 to 13, consistent with his performances at LSU and Texas A&M.

“I knew it was pretty serious as soon as it happened,” Johnson recounted. “There was a point where I thought I was going to lose my leg.”

With the dawn of a new football season, Johnson is eager to redefine his narrative and contribute significantly on the field.