North Carolina QB1 Conner Harrell reveals preparation plan after Max Johnson's season-ending injury

North Carolina's second-string quarterback Conner Harrell found himself thrust front and center in the Tar Heels' narrow 19-17 win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their season-opening clash after starting quarterback Max Johnson broke his leg in the third quarter. Harrell guided his team to close out the game and earned the QB1 tag for the game against the Charlotte 49ers.

Harrell went 2-of-4 for 34 yards during the game. During his weekly news conference before the game against the 49ers, he revealed how he was preparing for games now that he is the Tar Heels' starting quarterback.

“Nothing different,” said Harrell. “Yeah, I know, nothing different. Just preparing like I always would. Nothing different. I’d say – I said this in the last interview also.

"I always have to prepare like I’m going to play because I get my opportunity, I’m not ready, and then, you know, that’s not the best. So I always have to prepare week-to-week like I’m going to play. You know, I try to do that. I try to be the same person week to week."

“Yeah, I’m obviously excited,” Harrell added. “When I’m not playing, I’m excited to Max, excited for our team. Now that I am playing, I’m excited. You know, guys are looking to me in the huddle.”

Conner Harrell gets high praise from analyst

During an episode of "Always College Football," popular ESPN analyst Greg McElroy was full of praise for Harrell after Johnson's injury made him the de facto QB1.

“I think things are in a pretty good spot right now with North Carolina, I would love to have a veteran in there at quarterback. That’d be really helpful,” McElroy said. "I hate that Max Johnson dealt with that injury. You saw it the right leg. Grabbed it immediately.

"But I think Conner Harrell is a guy that is super athletic, very gifted athlete. He can run, can take off, but nothing I saw in the performance against Minnesota last week made me feel super confident about him as a thrower," he added.

“It looked like he was throwing it with a lot of velocity, but the accuracy was a little hit or miss. Looked like his nose was down a little bit when he released the football, and that’s tough for the wide receivers to catch.”

Conner Harrell will get a gentle introduction to college football as North Carolina's starting quarterback against the Charlotte 49ers and a chance to put Tar Heels' fan's fears to rest.