Additional Coverage:
- Bill Belichick adds third quarterback to UNC roster this offseason after disappointing first year (foxnews.com)
Chapel Hill, NC – Coach Bill Belichick is making moves to shake things up for the UNC Tar Heels after a less-than-stellar start to his collegiate coaching career. The team is clearly looking for a fresh start in 2026, and it seems the quarterback position is getting a major overhaul.
The Tar Heels recently snagged former Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens from the transfer portal, making him the third signal-caller added this offseason, according to On3. Dickens joins ex-Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and former Texas A&M quarterback Miles O’Neill in what’s shaping up to be a very crowded-and competitive-quarterback room.
Dickens brings some impressive stats to the table, coming off a standout 2025 season where he threw for 3,508 yards with 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Over his three seasons at Western Carolina, he accumulated 5,063 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, and only five interceptions, boasting an impressive 74% completion rate. Tar Heel fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how that talent translates to Chapel Hill.
This influx of new talent sets the stage for a fierce competition this spring, as Belichick and his staff aim to identify their Week 1 starter. This intensive quarterback search comes on the heels of a disappointing 4-8 season for the Tar Heels under Belichick, a campaign that also saw its share of off-field attention regarding his relationship with Jordon Hudson.
Despite whispers of NFL teams circling for his coaching expertise, Belichick publicly affirmed his commitment to the Tar Heels, stating his focus remains squarely on building a winning team in Chapel Hill. With that goal in mind, the coaching staff is laser-focused on assembling the right roster for a much-improved 2026 campaign, starting with a significant shake-up at the most crucial position on the field.
Last season, Gio Lopez led the Tar Heels at quarterback, throwing for 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 261 attempts, along with 133 rushing yards. Max Johnson and Au’Tori Newkirk also saw limited action.
Beyond the quarterback position, Belichick and his team have been busy bolstering other areas of the roster. New additions include offensive lineman Andrew Threatt, tight end Jaxxon Warren, and defensive linemen Tarvorise Brown and Jaylen Harvey, among others, as the Tar Heels look to revamp across the board.