Injured QB Max Johnson (leg) plans to play in 2025

Injured quarterback Max Johnson plans to play for North Carolina in 2025.

He broke his right leg in the Tar Heels' season-opening win at Minnesota last week and had surgery at a local hospital last Friday. He remains in Minnesota, where he talked to ESPN.

"I have a lot of football left in me and know I will be back out there next year," he told ESPN.

Johnson, 23, suffered the injury in the third quarter of the game in Minneapolis when defensive back Justin Walley made contact on a blitz.

When he returns to North Carolina, he intends to go through rehab and do what he can to boost the Tar Heels.

"I'll be there every day supporting my teammates and helping out as much as I can," he said.

The son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson, the younger Johnson was a three-star prospect in the 2020 class and started his college career at LSU.

After two seasons, he transferred to Texas A&M and entered the transfer portal again after the 2023 season before heading to North Carolina.

Before this season, he had two years of eligibility remaining, though he could petition to play in 2026.

In four seasons, Johnson has appeared in 31 games (23 starts), throwing for 5,923 yards, 47 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

North Carolina has turned to Conner Harrell, who competed with Johnson in training camp as the starter. The Tar Heels host Charlotte (0-1) on Saturday.

--Field Level Media