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Transfer Portal Breakdown: Where UNC’s offense needs immediate help
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- Transfer Portal Breakdown: Where UNC’s offense needs immediate help
With the transfer portal opening Jan. 2, all eyes will be on North Carolina as it looks to improve its roster and fill the holes left by more than two dozen players — most notably linebacker Khmori House and defensive end Tyler Thompson — who have already declared their intention to enter the transfer portal.
While Carolina isn't the only team dealing with this, and while most of the players who have entered weren't game-changing, the Tar Heels have to hit on the portal after too many whiffs last time around, which ultimately led to a 4-8 record, their worst season since 2018.
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The good news is the Tar Heels brought in 39 freshmen, more than enough to fill out a roster. However, you can't rely on a bunch of freshmen to win you games, especially with the way things are nowadays, with the transfer portal allowing you to bring in veteran players. Moreover, there will be more movement as we approach the official transfer portal period.
With that being said, let's look at the biggest needs on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback: Yellow
Despite losing Bryce Baker to the portal, UNC is still in good shape, numbers-wise, at quarterback. Au'Tori Newkirk is on the roster, Elite 11 quarterback Travis Burgess is coming in, and Gio Lopez has announced he is returning for another season. It's always good to have your starter back, and UNC also has two potential quarterbacks of the future who could win the job this year if one of them outperforms Lopez in the offseason.
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However, the Tar Heels should still explore the portal for an upgrade at quarterback, as there are plenty of talented options available.
Given Lopez's shakiness last season and Newkirk and Burgess's lack of starting experience, it makes sense to find the best possible quarterback to come to Chapel Hill and take the reins of the offense. With Bobby Petrino potentially becoming offensive coordinator, UNC becomes an even more attractive destination for a transfer quarterback.
The better the quarterback, the better chance a team has to win games and get to where it wants to be. For example, Duke and Virginia were able to shock the rest of the conference by playing in the ACC championship game largely due to their respective quarterbacks, Duke's Darian Mensah and Virginia's Chandler Morris . If they could do it, why can't Carolina?
Running Back: Green
The running back position should be the least of worries. Outside of Davion Gause, the Tar Heels return their top two rushers in Demon June and Benjamin Hall. Jaylen McGill, who got some decent reps down the stretch last season, also returns and will have a more active role in the offense.
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Wide Receiver: Red
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: Chris Culliver #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the football game against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
The wide receiver room was led by Jordan Shipp and Kobe Paysour , who provided experience and proven production to an otherwise young and inexperienced group. Shipp will remain at Carolina, but Paysour is out of eligibility.
The portal has hit this group hard, with Aziah Johnson , Chris Culliver , Alex Taylor, Jason Robinson, Paul Billups II, Javarius Green, and Kenedy Uzomah all entering. Outside of Shipp, the Heels are left with Shanard Clower, Madrid Tucker and Nathan Leacock for now.
UNC needs both difference-makers and depth at receiver. The good news is there are plenty of wideouts from the 2026 recruiting class. Still, the room lacked consistent playmakers beyond Shipp and Paysour, as well as the speed needed to threaten defenses vertically.
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Tight End: Red
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jake Johnson (19) scores a touchdown as TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Max Carroll (33) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Just like the wide receiver room, the tight end room lacks the numbers and playmakers UNC needs — but this unit does not have a proven returner like Shipp. UNC got very little production from its tight ends in the passing game last season. The one player who did contribute as a receiver, Jake Johnson , is entering the portal. For a quarterback, whether young or experienced, a reliable tight end is critical — a target they can trust over the middle and in the flats.
With Johnson leaving and Jordan Owens out of eligibility, the unit is down to Connor Cox and Shemar Easter as its main options. Cox was used primarily as a blocking tight end, and Easter is unproven as both a blocker and a pass-catcher.
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Belichick needs to take a hard look at the portal to bring in one or two proven tight ends who can make an impact in the passing game. It would also help if the position were featured more in the aerial attack, taking advantage of the mismatches tight ends can create. For UNC's sake, the next offensive coordinator has to make that happen.
Offensive Line: Red
While it may sound cliché, given how often coaches say it, it's true: If you don't have a good offensive line, your team isn't going anywhere. Belichick and his staff know this, and he'll have to find the best hog mollies he can in the portal.
UNC will lose 3,150 of its 3,551 offensive line snaps from last season. The Tar Heels had eight linemen play at least 100 snaps, but only two return. Carolina is losing Austin Blaske, Chad Linberg, Christo Kelly, Daniel King and Jakai Moore to graduation, while Miles McVay and Jani Norwood are entering the portal.
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With most of the portal budget expected to go to the offensive side of the ball, a significant chunk should be used on starting-caliber offensive linemen — not just depth pieces.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Biggest needs on offense in transfer portal
