The North Carolina Tar Heels have had a treasured history at quarterback in recent years and are hoping to continue that tradition in 2026 and beyond with their new set of signal-callers on the roster. This upcoming season holds levels of uncertainty after an embarrassing opening season with Bill Belichick as the leader of the program.
The offense got a facelift this offseason with two transfers and a true freshman joining the quarterback room, along with other additions across the offense, including a revamped tight end room. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino also joins the program to help North Carolina return to offensive competency.
The State of the Tar Heels Quarterback Room
Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr., Texas A&M’s Miles O’Neil, and freshman Travis Burgess are competing for the right to lead the Tar Heels’ offense this season, a unit that finished 118th out of 134 FBS teams in points per game.
These three signal-callers are replacing last year’s starter, Gio Lopez, and hope to restart North Carolina’s tradition of quality quarterback play that took hold of the program with Drake Maye and Sam Howell.
There’s some unproven talent in this quarterback room. Edwards has the most experience and production, along with the current inside track to be the starter for the de facto college football kickoff game in Ireland against TCU…