Football

Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

It is hard to imagine the Tar Heels falling short on offense again in 2026. Nothing could have been worse than what was witnessed last fall.

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Oct 31, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks to the clock in the fourth quarter game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Here is who ranks No. 28 on the Tar Heels' roster heading into 2026.

Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Jordan Washington (84) and teammates react after Washington scored a touchdown during the first half against the Sam Houston Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

NC Tar Heels On SI reporter Jared Feinberg dives into the tape of North Carolina's SEC acquisition at tight end.

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels added a promising talent to their offense over the weekend.

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Jaylen Harvey (44) tackles Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Penn State Nittany Lions won 49-10.

The Tar Heels' newest pass rusher garners intrigue as a potential X-factor for North Carolina's defense.

Read to find out who ranks 29th on the Tar Heels' 2026 football roster.

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Welcome to the 2026 North Carolina Football Top 30 Countdown!

Jun 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Scott Forbes at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

North Carolina is two wins away from a national championship. Here's everything to know about the Tar Heels' matchup with Oklahoma.

Nov 22, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Miles O'Neill (16) runs with the ball in the first half of game against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images

Tar Heels On SI reporter Jared Feinberg is here to break down one of the quarterbacks competing to start Week 1 against TCU.

Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Jelani Thurman (15) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. Ohio State won 70-0.

Tar Heels On SI reporter Jared Feinberg dives into the table to explore the potential of transfer tight end Jelani Thurman.

Sep 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks at his iPad during the second half against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will face three college football powerhouses in 2026. There's a reason they can defeat each opponent.

With training camp in the near future, here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Tar Heels' freshman class.

Nov 29, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jordan Owens (80) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

These games could give the Tar Heels football much-needed confidence in ACC play this season.

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman talks to North Carolina Tar Heels general manger Michael Lombardi and head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With roughly 30 incoming freshmen, the North Carolina Tar Heels are hopeful of a bright future for their football program.

Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) watches pre-game warmups at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Edwards will be up to the task for the Tar Heels this season.

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Believe it or not, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the 2026 North Carolina Tar Heels. It may change the entire narrative around the program.

Jul 23, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

If this prediction is to hold, the Tar Heels' offense could see serious growth in 2026.

Oct 18, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) warms up before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will have a different look under center in 2026.

Nov 29, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media after the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

While the Tar Heels football program has much to prove as a whole, these three players are the ones with the most to prove in 2026.

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; TV analyst Bill Belichick watches the Miami Hurricanes play the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are looking to bounce back from a pitiful 2025 season.

Steve Belichick, Defensive Coordinator for the Washington football team, answers questions from the media during the coordinator news conference at the Hawthorn Suites in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Things could get better (or worse) for the North Carolina Tar Heels' defense this upcoming season.

2017: Bill Belichick celebrates after Super Bowl LI where the New England Patriots vs The Atlanta Falcon at NRG Stadium, Houston.

North Carolina's offense faces many questions ahead of the 2026 college football season. Their best- and worst-case scenarios are equally in reach.

These worst-case scenarios could fast-track Bill Belichick's exit from Chapel Hill. For the Tar Heels' fans' sake, hope for the best.

Here are three matchups that prove too much for the Tar Heels to handle in 2026.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick watches play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images

These three transfer acquisitions from this offseason could surprise the North Carolina football program in an oh-so-crucial 2026 season.

Football

Why There Is Hope for North Carolina's 2026 Offense

Why There Is Hope for North Carolina's 2026 Offense

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