Report: North Carolina Among Schools 'Exploring Potential Move From ACC to SEC'

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels continue facing stiff competition, more coveted programs looking to join SEC.

Mar 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels will face stiff competition in the Southeastern Conference with multiple heavy-hitters on the schedule this upcoming season.

It's no secret the SEC has emerged as arguably the top conference in college football with the likes of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners joining a season ago.

Now, there's buzz that more change could be on the horizon sooner rather than later.

The Southeastern Conference is currently composed of 16 programs with Texas and Oklahoma now in the mix, but recent reports are circulating that the North Carolina Tar Heels could be a school to watch.

According to the Sports Business Journal: "The Univ. of North Carolina is among a group of schools 'interested in seeking a potential departure from the ACC' when the next round of realignment takes place, and it 'even could be considered at the front of that pack, alongside Clemson,' according to sources cited by Adam Smith of INSIDE CAROLINA."

Realignment watch: Sources say UNC is among the schools exploring a potential move from the ACC with the SEC as the likely target 👀

Under Chancellor Lee Roberts and incoming AD Steve Newmark, the Tar Heels could be leading the pack alongside Clemson.

Via @InsideCarolina

— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) July 24, 2025

The report also added: "The SEC 'is where the Tar Heels are aiming' under the leadership of Chancellor Lee Roberts and incoming AD Steve Newmark should a move occur. The ACC’s decreasing exit fees dip from $93M to a flat $75M threshold with the 2030-31 school year."

REPORT: North Carolina is exploring a potential move from the ACC to the SEC, per @InsideCarolina😮https://t.co/acGuw7hhUY pic.twitter.com/MbwyHGqxJK

— On3 (@On3sports) July 24, 2025

In what would be a seismic move across the college landscape, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Clemson Tigers are both programs on "watch" for the next conference realignment move.

The Southeastern Conference is currently made up of 16 programs, and with significant moves being made across college athletics, both schools remain on watch.

*This story will be updated.*

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