One Key Similarity Between Duke and UNC Football in 2026

The Duke Blue Devils are heading into the 2026 college football season with a good bit of uncertainty.

After a plethora of departures via the transfer portal and the NFL Draft left head coach Manny Diaz and his staff scrambling to find replacements, the Blue Devils' expectations coming off a conference championship win aren't very high.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz celebrates defeating the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

North Carolina is searching for a bounce-back campaign after Year 1 under head coach Bill Belichick didn't quite go according to plan, as the Tar Heels finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in ACC play.

Both Duke and UNC have talent at several positions, but both programs are also heading into the year with questions. There is one key question mark for both the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels heading into 2026.

Jul 17, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, talks with the media during interviews at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Duke and UNC Both Have Uncertainty at Quarterback Position

Both Duke and North Carolina lost their respective starting quarterbacks last season. Darian Mensah, arguably the best quarterback in the ACC last season, transferred to Miami; Gio Lopez, Carolina's starter in 2025, transferred to Wake Forest.

Both schools brought in intriguing replacements to fill those voids, but both are in the midst of camp with questions surrounding the most important position in sports.

Jul 15, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami quarterback Darian Mensah speaks to the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Now, Belichick and his staff have already named Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. their Week 0 starting quarterback against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29.

Throughout fall camp, Edwards always seemed to be the favorite to land the job, but other signal callers on the depth chart brought some competition. Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill seemed to make a bit of a push late, and 4-star freshman Travis Burgess had an argument despite being a true freshman.

As of now, Carolina has its starting QB locked in. Duke has yet to announce a starter, and that could stay the reality for a while. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan are in the midst of a battle in Durham.

Sep 27, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Walker Eget (5) throws the football during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue Devils and Tar Heels Could Make Changes

It's not crazy to imagine that both Duke and North Carolina could make changes at the quarterback position throughout the 2026 season if one signal caller isn't quite meeting expectations.

O'Neill showed some flashes in camp and could make a push to take over as the starting quarterback in Chapel Hill if Edwards struggles, and regardless of who the Blue Devils ultimately name as the starter, the same could be true for Diaz and Co. in Durham.

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