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UNC football 2026 transfer portal tracker, updates, latest news
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- UNC football 2026 transfer portal tracker, updates, latest news
North Carolina finished the first year of the Bill Belichick era at 4-8 overall and 2-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. It was a disappointing year for the Tar Heels , failing to make a bowl game for the first time since 2018 when they fired Larry Fedora.
But now, the focus shifts to the offseason, where Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi will have to look at the roster and try to rebuild this thing. That includes the transfer portal, where it's expected to be another active one across the country.
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The 2026 transfer portal will officially open up on January 2nd, one day after the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. That's a big change as the window is now open later rather than in December. However, players can begin to reveal their intentions and plans to enter. As soon as it officially opens, a lot of players will be off the board as things are going on behind the scenes already.
For North Carolina, this will be an active portal period once again and another important one. Here are the early decisions that players have made.
LEAVING: QB Gio Lopez (Jan. 5)
A bit of a shocking development as quarterback Gio Lopez is entering the transfer portal after just one season at North Carolina.
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COMMITTED: DL Tarvorise Brown ( Florida ) (Jan. 5)
North Carolina has its fifth commitment. Former Florida defensive lineman Tarvorise Brown has committed to the program. He played on just 23 snaps last season.
COMMITTED: TE Jaxxon Warren ( Colorado State ) (Jan. 5)
The fourth commitment is also on the offensive side of the ball as UNC has landed Colorado State tight end Jaxxon Warren. He had six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown before suffering an injury in September.
COMMITTED: WR Jonathan Bibbs (UL-Monroe) (Jan. 4)
North Carolina has secured a commitment from UL-Monroe wide receiver Jonathan Bibbs.
COMMITTED: OL Andrew Threatt ( Charleston Southern ) (Jan 4.)
Another commitment for UNC on the offense as former Charleston Southern offensive lineman Andrew Threatt committed on Sunday.
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COMMITTED: QB Billy Edwards ( Wisconsin ) (Jan. 4)
The North Carolina Tar Heels have their first commitment in the transfer portal cycle as quarterback Billy Edwards has committed.
VISIT: LSU DB Ashton Stamps
The Tar Heels are targeting a defensive back in the SEC as LSU DB Ashton Stamps is on campus today per Pete Nakos.
VISIT: OL Andrew Threatt (Charleston Southern)
North Carolina is set to visit Charleston Southern offensive lineman Andrew Threatt on Saturday, he announced.
VISIT: RB Evan Dickens (Liberty) (Jan. 2)
The North Carolina Tar Heels will host former Liberty running back Evan Dickens on Friday. He will also visit Boston College on Sunday.
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STAYING: RB Demon June (Jan. 2)
North Carolina announced that running back Demon June is returning to the program. He had 464 yards on 84 carries with two touchdowns.
VISIT: QB Billy Edwards (Jan. 2)
The Tar Heels have their first visit lined up. Per Tar Heel 247, the Tar Heels are hosting former Wisconsin and Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards. He started one game for the Badgers before suffering a season-ending injury.
DL Kamarion Thomas (LEAVING) (Dec. 26)
Freshman defensive lineman Kamarion Thomas plans to enter the transfer portal after just one season. He did not log a snap this season.
LB Chinedu Onyeagoro (LEAVING) (Dec. 23)
Freshman linebacker Chinedu Onyeagoro did not play a snap last season and is leaving UNC.
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QB Bryce Baker (LEAVING) (Dec. 22)
Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Bill Belichick with recruit quarterback Bryce Baker during half time at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Talented freshman quarterback Bryce Baker is leaving after one season at North Carolina per a report . He was a four-star commit that picked the Tar Heels and didn't see the field at all last season.
Edge Tyler Thompson (LEAVING) (Dec. 17)
North Carolina is losing edge rusher Tyler Thompson as he plans on entering the transfer portal. He had 7.5 sacks this past season.
DB Malcolm Ziglar (Leaving) (Dec. 15)
Malcolm Ziglar will enter the transfer portal when it opens in January. He played two seasons with the Tar Heels.
WR Kenedy Uzoma (Leaving) (Dec. 13)
A three-star recruit, freshman WR Kenedy Uzoma is leaving after one year.
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TE Jake Johnson (Leaving) (Dec. 8)
Just a few days after his brother Max announced he is expected to enter the transfer portal for UNC, tight end Jake Johnson is expected to enter as well.
RB Davion Gause (Leaving) (Dec. 5)
Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Davion Gause (21) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Running back Davion Gause is leaving North Carolina after two seasons. In those two seasons with UNC, Gause had 762 rushing yards and finished with nine touchdowns.
QB Max Johnson (Leaving) (Dec. 5)
Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson (14) looks to pass in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson is planning on entering the transfer portal after just two years at UNC.
OL Jani Norwood (Leaving) (Dec. 4)
The Tar Heels will lose another offensive lineman as Jani Norwood is planning to enter the portal per a report.
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DB Ty White (Leaving) (Dec. 4)
UNC defensive back Ty White will enter the transfer portal for the Tar Heels.
LB Khmori House (Leaving) (Dec. 4)
Nov 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Khmori House (7) reacts after intercepting the ball in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Linebacker Khmori House plans to enter the transfer portal per his agency. He spent one season in Chapel Hill, following his former defensive coordinator Steve Belichick. House had 45 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception in his lone season.
WR Jason Robinson (Leaving) (Nov. 30)
Slot wide receiver Jason Robinson is expected to enter the transfer portal.
WR Chris Culliver (Leaving) (Sunday, Nov. 30)
The wide receiver made his decision to enter the transfer portal on Sunday , just a day after the team ended the season with a loss to NC State.
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OT William Boone (Leaving)
Offensive tackle William Boone confirmed via his X account that he is entering the transfer portal. He started three games this season before suffering a season-ending injury.
Previous entries prior to November
Below is a list of players who have declared their plans to enter:
WR Aziah Johnson
OL Trevyon Green
WR Paul Billups
TE Yasir Smith
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football 2026 Transfer portal updates: Who's in, who's moving on?
