UNC’s Quarterback Room Gets a Major Overhaul

The quarterback situation at the University of North Carolina has undergone significant changes. After a tough debut season of 4-8, the Tar Heels have welcomed four new quarterbacks for the 2026 season, following the departures of three quarterbacks, including starting QB Gio Lopez.

This week, they added former Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens via the transfer portal. This news was shared by a university sports site.

Dickens had a standout second year with the Catamounts, racking up impressive stats: 3,508 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, just two interceptions, and a completion rate of 74.2%. He even set an NCAA record for the most consecutive completions in a game—46—in a matchup against Wofford last October.

Prior to bringing in Dickens, the Tar Heels also picked up transfers Billy Edwards Jr. from Wisconsin and Miles O’Neal from Texas A&M. However, both are expected to be limited until 2025 due to injuries and limited playtime. Edwards suffered a knee injury early last season, while O’Neal didn’t see much action behind the Aggies’ starter.

Additionally, the team has a commitment from Travis Burgess, a three-star quarterback recruit from Georgia, who is also looking at North Carolina State and Auburn.

In Belichick’s first season, the Tar Heels not only struggled with a 2-6 record in the ACC but also finished near the bottom in both passing and total yards. Lopez, who played most of the year, managed 1,747 passing yards along with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions before opting to transfer to Wake Forest.

Meanwhile, backup quarterbacks Max Johnson and Bryce Baker have also decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere.