Conner Harrell's Path To Starting Vs. Former Team, Hosting Tar Heels in Charlotte

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A sudden injury to Max Johson inside Huntington Bank Stadium last year brought then-redshirt-sophomore Conner Harrell off the sidelines, creating a standout moment in an adjustment-filled career for the former North Carolina quarterback. 

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Harrell helped guide UNC’s offense that night with a game-winning drive that put the Tar Heels over the top, 19-17. The following week, Harrell made his second career start against the Charlotte 49ers — a program he’d join four months later. Completing the home-and-home series one year later, Harrell will command the opposing offense this Saturday when the Tar Heels come to the Queen City.

Harrell will start at quarterback for Charlotte this weekend and face North Carolina, a team he spent three seasons with. UNC, of course, underwent much turnover after Bill Belichick took over as head coach, but a few familiar faces remain on the roster. Harrell certainly had his moments while at North Carolina, but never locked down the starting job full-time. He enters Saturday’s matchup, though, as the confirmed starter on a different offense.

Harrell was asked on Tuesday in Charlotte’s press conference about facing his former team, keeping his answer brief and to the point.

“I’m excited to play,” Harrell told reporters in Charlotte on Tuesday. “Another Saturday, another week. Every week’s exciting, so I’m excited to be out there with my teammates and play a good game.”

Harrell joined Tim Albin’s team in January and competed with former Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis and former Southern Miss and JuCo quarterback Zach Wilcke for the starting spot in Charlotte, ultimately winning out and opening the 49ers’ season against App State. The former Tar Heel completed 13 of his 24 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a loss to the Mountaineers.

Harrell spoke this week about Charlotte’s need to self-correct from the loss. He said his goal in leading the offense is for the team to take what’s given to them by UNC’s defense.

“The same message that we’re telling the offense and defense is that we beat ourselves last week,” Harrell said. “We’re going into this week not worrying about outside noise or anything, just trying to execute and do what we need to do.”

UNC safeties coach Brian Belichick spoke about Harrell’s abilities on Wednesday, saying he and the staff are blending his film and bits of knowledge from the holdovers on last year’s team that know his game to scout him.

“(He’s a) dynamic quarterback who can threaten us multiple ways,” Belichick said. “He does a good job controlling the offense, and we got our hands full. We need to handle a lot of different things they can do. 

“I’ve leaned on and appreciate and respect the feedback I get from the guys who have been here and know him. Not that they know everything either, he’s been there practicing with their team for a long time, too. So we try to piece it all together. And the main thing is evaluating with what you see and trusting the opinions of the people you trust, and that helps you determine the game plan.”

Harrell joined the team in 2022 under Mack Brown out of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson as a three-star recruit. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was UNC’s full-time starter in each of Harrell’s first two seasons, with Harrell serving as the third-string QB as a true freshman and the second-string quarterback as a redshirt-freshman. 

Harrell became known for his speed, even showing it off in 2023 with a 61-yard touchdown run against Campbell. That day, he completed all four of his passes off the bench for 71 yards and a touchdown throw to Chris Culliver. He made his first career start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia that December, going 22 for 33 through the air for 207 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He tweaked his ankle in the first half, which noticeably hindered his mobility throughout the game.

Last year, he and Johnson battled for the starting quarterback position throughout the spring and summer, with Johnson ultimately winning the job. But when Johnson went down with the femur injury, Harrell filled in that night and started the next two games. He returned to the second-string spot after the North Carolina Central game, though, as Jacolby Criswell started each UNC game the rest of the way. 

Harrell finished his UNC career with 560 passing yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions, 110 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns before hitting the transfer portal. Many of Harrell’s UNC teammates have since departed from Chapel Hill, but Caleb Hood spoke on Wednesday about the team facing off against his former teammate.

“Conner’s a great guy,” Hood said. “I played golf with him a lot in the offseason last year. We have a great connection, but this week we’re on opposite sides.”

Both teams enter Saturday’s game coming off season-opening losses, with UNC’s blowout loss to TCU in Bill Belichick’s debut and Charlotte’s defeat to App State.

Albin said on Tuesday that each of Charlotte’s top three quarterbacks could see action this season, and added that there’s a possibility that Loftis may play on Saturday. But Harrell will take the field first and make his fifth career start against the team he began his career with. 

“We’re excited to go out and play to our highest level,” Brian Belichick said. “And hopefully, no matter who the quarterback is, that can be enough to get it done.”