It wasn't a secret that Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels were looking to add another quarterback in the transfer portal . With the spring portal open, there was a report UNC could get involved with Nico Iamaleava.
That didn't happen. Then, Ryan Browne entered the transfer portal, which signaled another move was coming for the program. On Thursday, that move happened.
South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez committed to North Carolina from the transfer portal. The announcement came days after a crystal ball prediction was logged for him on 247Sports .
The 6-foot-10, 210-pound quarterback had 2,559 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions last year while completing 66% of his passes. He had 465 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
The Alabama native had a breakout season as a redshirt freshman a year ago and opted to enter the transfer portal looking for a place to start. He joins a UNC roster that is thin at quarterback. Freshman Bryce Baker and senior Max Johnson are also on the depth chart.
Lopez is the favorite to win the starting job with Baker likely pushing him but getting a year or so to learn at the college level. Lopez has three years of eligibility left.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football lands South Alabama QB Gio Lopez
