Conner Harrell named backup quarterback to Drake Maye
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is one of the top returning players in college football for the 2023 season. After putting up big numbers in his first season as a starter, Maye is back to try to help UNC achieve its goal of winning an ACC title.
While we know Maye will be the starter this year, his backup had been a big question mark going into the offseason.
With UNC’s spring game this Saturday, head coach Mack Brown gave an update on the battle between Conner Harrell and Tad Hudson. Brown announced Harrell has won the competition and will start out as the backup to Maye this season.
Here is what Inside Carolina wrote on the situation
Brown said solidifying the backup quarterback spot behind Maye was on UNC’s to-do list for the spring, and redshirt freshman Conner Harrell has earned the nod there ahead of true freshman early enrollee Tad Hudson. Brown called Harrell the clear-cut No. 2 quarterback for the Tar Heels.
“He’s gotten better and better this spring,” Brown said, mentioning Harrell has bounced back from December struggles in practices when UNC was preparing for the Holiday Bowl, after Jacolby Criswell transferred out of the program. Brown commended Harrell’s smarts and elusiveness to make plays on the run.
It’s really no shocker to see the redshirt freshman Harrell get the nod as the backup to Maye over the true freshman Hudson. Brown went as far to say that Harrell has been practicing well, a good sign moving forward.
With Maye likely leaving after this season, the Tar Heels need to know what they have in the pipeline. And the hope is Harrell or Hudson can pick up somewhat where Maye leaves off.
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