Chapel Hill, North Carolina saw an exciting spring football game where quarterbacks Max Johnson and Conner Harrell showcased their skills. Harrell stood out with three touchdown passes, including two significant plays that brought energy to Kenan Stadium. Unofficially, Harrell completed 4-of-6 passes for 161 yards, averaging over 40 yards per completion. One of his highlights was a 68-yard touchdown bomb to true freshman Javarius Green.
In contrast, Johnson, a two-time transfer from LSU and Texas A&M, connected with Paul Billups II for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Despite being flushed out of the pocket, Johnson displayed his agility and accuracy during the scrimmage. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards in his two series of work. Harrell, on the other hand, handled four series for the Tar Heels’ offense.
Transfer running back Darwin Barlow made an impact by running for an 11-yard touchdown, showcasing his skills after stops at TCU and Southern Cal. Barlow’s performance was part of a dominant showing by the first-team offense, with Barlow racking up 56 yards on five attempts. True freshman Davion Gause also contributed with 28 yards on six carries.
The UNC defense had its moments as well, with Will Hardy intercepting a pass and returning it for a 21-yard touchdown. Defensive end Des Evan and others contributed with tackles for lost yardage, sacks, and other key defensive plays. Edge rusher Malaki Hamrick, cornerback Ty White, and linebacker Caleb LaVallee also made notable contributions on the defensive end.
The scrimmage showcased the depth and talent of the UNC team, with both offense and defense making plays throughout the game. Fans got a glimpse of the upcoming season as players like Harrell, Johnson, and Barlow demonstrated their potential impact on the field. Overall, the spring game provided an exciting preview of what fans can expect in the upcoming season for the Tar Heels.