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North Carolina reportedly expected to make starting QB change ahead of Week 4
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North Carolina is expected to make a change at the quarterback position on Saturday, according to a report.
Per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Tar Heels are expected to start Jacolby Criswell at quarterback when they take on James Madison in Week 4. Criswell replaces Conner Harrell, who started for UNC in wins over Charlotte and NC Central over the previous 2 weeks.
North Carolina is expected to shift to Jacolby Criswell as its starting QB when it faces JMU tomorrow, a source tells @247sports/@cbssports.
Criswell, a former four-star recruit who signed with UNC in 2020, returned to the Tar Heels this offseason after a year at Arkansas.… pic.twitter.com/JW1xvaSlo6
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 20, 2024
Criswell would be the third different starting quarterback UNC has had this month. Max Johnson began the year as QB1 in Chapel Hill, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the Tar Heels’ win over Minnesota last month.
This development is not entirely surprising. While Harrell started in Week 3 against NC Central, it was Criswell who got most of the reps in that game. He completed 14-of-23 passes for 161 yards and 1 touchdown in the win. Harrell completed just 2-of-6 passes for 22 yards against the Eagles. After the game, head coach Mack Brown told reporters that both quarterbacks would see playing time moving forward.
It’s a bit of a full-circle moment for Criswell, who transferred back to North Carolina this offseason. He was previously UNC’s backup quarterback behind Drake Maye, but he spent the 2023 campaign at the University of Arkansas.
North Carolina is a 10.5-point favorite at home on Saturday, per the latest odds from bet365. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
