Georgia Southern Names 7th-Year Journeyman QB as 2026 Starter

Georgia Southern has named this former SEC and ACC signal-caller as its starting quarterback for the 2026 season.

North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson (14) passes the ball to running back Demon June (12) during the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Quarterback competitions across college football are coming to a close as the first weekend of the 2026 season approaches.

In the Power Four ranks, both North Carolina and Alabama named starting quarterbacks in the last week. Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards edged out former Texas A&M backup Miles O'Neill for the Tar Heels' job, and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell outdueled Austin Mack to become the Crimson Tide's starting signal-caller.

In the Group of Six ranks, a former Power Four starter has received his last chance to start in college. Georgia Southern officially named Max Johnson its starter over Turner Helton and Weston Bryan on Sunday.

Georgia Southern marks Johnson's fourth school in his college career. He is entering his seventh season of college eligibility.

Johnson began his college career in the SEC

Nov 20, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Max Johnson (14) passes the ball against Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder was a four-star prospect in Ed Orgeron's 2020 signing class at LSU.

Johnson was the third-string quarterback for the Tigers behind Myles Brennan and TJ Finley during the abridged season. Brennan suffered an injury early in the year, and Finley was disappointing in his relief, so LSU turned to Johnson; he finished 2020 with 1,069 yards and eight touchdowns through the air and 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Brennan suffered another injury in LSU's 2021 fall camp, so the Tigers named Johnson as their starter. LSU posted its worst record in a 12-game season this century in 2021, but Johnson threw for 2,815 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions in the midst of its collapse under Orgeron.

Johnson transferred to Texas A&M in the 2022 offseason. He replaced Haynes King as the Aggies' starter after a humbling home loss to Appalachian State in the second week of the season, but a broken bone in his throwing hand ended Johnson's season in early October.

Current Houston starter Conner Weigman was named the Aggies' 2023 starter, but a foot fracture in their win over Auburn thrust Johnson back into action. Johnson started the Aggies' next five games before his season ended due to multiple rib fractures in the loss at Ole Miss.

Johnson saw limited playing time at North Carolina

Johnson transferred to North Carolina in the 2024 offseason, and the Tar Heels named him as their starter ahead of the season. However, he was lost for the season due to a devastating lower-body injury in the season opener at Minnesota.

South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez received the starting nod in 2025, but Johnson saw playing time in four games due to a combination of poor performance and injuries to Lopez. Johnson's lone start was in the Tar Heels' 38-10 loss at Clemson.

Johnson is replacing Georgia Southern's all-time leading passer

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Georgia Southern Eagles quarterback JC French IV (12) throws a pass during the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former Eagles' signal-caller JC French IV was one of a handful of quarterbacks to make his way from the Group of Six ranks to the Big 12 in January, replacing Brendan Sorsby at Cincinnati.

French IV threw for a combined 5,882 yards in his three seasons at Georgia Southern, surpassing a program record for passing yards that stood for nearly 40 years. He is one of two quarterbacks in Eagles' program history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in his career.