Coming out of Watkinsville (Georgia) Prince Avenue Christian, Max Johnson was ranked as a four-star prospect the nation's No. 22 quarterback recruit, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He signed with LSU in the 2020 recruiting class and he appeared in six games and made two starts for the Tigers. Johnson would then go on to start all 12 games in the 2021 season for LSU before entering the transfer portal and ending up at Texas A&M. Johnson saw action in the 2022 season for the Aggies, but he had to bide his time before eventually being named the starter. After being elevated to the starter, Johnson led the Aggies to victories over Auburn and Arkansas with impressive showings. Johnson's patience impressed the A&M coaching staff. "At the time when he didn’t win the job in August, he couldn’t have got in the portal anyway. But he wouldn’t have went anyway," Jimbo Fisher said. "That’s not who he is. He’s gonna sit there, compete and play and do the things he’s gotta do.” During Johnson's high school career, he threw for 5,140 yards and 47 touchdowns, adding 289 rushing yards and 14 scores.