Max Johnson is finally getting a clean slate. After a rough run at North Carolina, the former LSU and Texas A&M quarterback has been named the starting signal-caller for Georgia Southern. Against Charleston Southern on September 5th, the opener will feature him in the lineup thanks to this move. It is his fourth time holding the starting job, a fact that proves he keeps fighting even when things go sideways.
The path to this spot was not smooth. Johnson transferred to North Carolina in 2024 but saw his season cut short by an injury in the Week 1 win over Minnesota. He spent the rest of the year as a backup to Gio Lopez, throwing for just 432 yards and two touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. Last season, the Tar Heels finished with four wins total, including only two in the ACC. Starting with a Labor Day primetime defeat to TCU, that campaign went downhill from there. Johnson eventually entered the transfer portal and landed at Georgia Southern. According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports CFB, the school has named him the starter as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Why The Fourth Start Matters
Fans often forget that starting a game requires more than just a strong arm. It takes the mental reps and the film study that most people never see. Johnson has been in this position three times before at major programs. He started at LSU, then Texas A&M, and finally North Carolina. That experience is a rare commodity. Most players would fold under the pressure of being the backup after an injury. Johnson did not. He kept working until he got the chance to lead a team again.
The numbers at UNC were not pretty, but they do not tell the whole story. He was dealing with a new system and a new coach in Bill Belichick. The offense struggled, and the team finished 4-8. Yet Johnson completed 62 percent of his attempts in limited action. That kind of accuracy shows he understands the basics. He knows how to move the chains when the defense tries to stop him. Now he gets to try it all over again with a new group of players who do not have any baggage from the past.
The Real Test Is On The Field
Georgia Southern faces a tough schedule right out of the gate. They will play Charleston Southern to start, but the real test comes in Week 2 against Clemson. If Johnson can keep his team competitive against a power conference opponent, his reputation will bounce back fast. The fans at Georgia Southern need a leader who has been through the fire. They need someone who knows how to handle a bad week and still show up on Sunday.
Belichick’s first year at UNC was a mess, but Johnson was not the only one who struggled. The whole offense had issues. Still, Johnson is the one who got the call to start. That tells you something about his work ethic. He did not make excuses for the loss or the injury. He just kept grinding. Now he has a new team that believes in him. The hope is that this new chapter goes much better than the last one did.
Georgia Southern opens the season on September 5th against Charleston Southern.
