By Luke Brumm
Spring practices are in full swing, so it is only right that we look at the quarterback battles that are going on. I will go conference by conference and highlight quarterback battles and give my prediction on the winner. Let’s start with the ACC.
North Carolina – Conner Harrell & Max Johnson
Conner Harrell backed up Drake Maye last season and completed 22 out of 33 of his passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, with two interceptions. Max Johnson first transferred from LSU to Texas A&M and now is in North Carolina for 2024. Johnson threw 190 passes in 2023, completing 118 of them for 1,452 yards. He had a nine to five touchdown to interception-ratio after coming in for the injured Conner Weigman.
I think Johnson has the edge as of now, but Harrell could impress in practice and steal the job. If I had to put money on it right now, I would take Max Johnson to be the Tar Heel’s starting quarterback in 2024.
Pittsburgh – Eli Holstein & Nate Yarnell
Pitt had a very disappointing season last year and quarterback play was one of the reasons for that. Nate Yarnell only played in four games, starting two, so he can’t truly be blamed. He threw for nearly 600 yards and four touchdowns on 41 completions. He also only had one interception. Eli Holstein is a transfer from Alabama. Holstein comes in looking to take the starting job immediately. He didn’t see any playing time in his true freshman season, but was a four-star and was the seventh-best quarterback in the class of 2023.
Holstein has the talent to start and I think he will. I have Eli Holstein as the Panther’s starting QB for next season.
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Wake Forest – Hank Bachmeier & Michael Kern
Wake Forest is another school that went to the portal to bring in a quarterback. They brought in Hank Bachmeier from Louisiana Tech and are excited about him. Bachmeier played four years at Boise State before heading to Ruston. He will battle Senior Michael Kern for the starter spot.
I think this battle is Bachmeier’s to lose, but you never know. Bachmeier put up 2,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 compared to Kern’s 647 yards and four touchdowns from a season ago. Bachmeier has much more experience and I believe that will help him become the Demon Deacons’ starting quarterback in 2024.
