Biggest Takeaway from UNC Football’s First Scrimmage of Camp

This offseason has had its ebbs and flows for the North Carolina Tar Heels football program, but with the regular season right around the corner, it's time for the coaching staff to finalize the roster.

That process was set in motion earlier this week when North Carolina named Billy Edwards Jr. as the team's starting quarterback, with the Wisconsin transfer officially slated to take the field in the season opener against TCU in Dublin, Ireland.

Part of that decision was based on how Edwards Jr. and Miles O'Neill performed in training camp and scrimmages. Last week, Heel Report's Andrew Jones provided some insight into what transpired during the team's opening scrimmage.

Jones' Thoughts

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 | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"But in talking to sources, quite a few in and around the program, and it looks like Miles O'Neill has continued to make a move, and that he started the scrimmage, for example, on Sunday, and he played well. Now, Billy Edwards played really well also, and we're also sourced on the Edwards' side where there's an understanding that, okay, right now, if they played TCU on August 12, for example, maybe Miles O'Neill takes the first snap."

Overall Takeaways

Bobby Petrino, center, is in his first season as the offensive coordinator for UNC football entering the Tar Heels' second year under head coach Bill Belichick. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

While the result of the quarterback competition is in the books, this tidbit on what transpired during the scrimmage is interesting, to say the least. Entering training camp, Edwards Jr. was the heavy favorite to win the job, and although that ended up being the direction the coaching staff went in, O'Neill gave Edwards Jr. a run for his money.

In fact, based on this report, the Texas A&M transfer appeared to have the inside track on the job at one point. That being said, there are two ways to look at how this situation unfolded.

Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Miles O'Neill (16) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

From a positive perspective, the Tar Heels' quarterback room has two legitimate options: Edwards Jr. and O'Neill. This report indicates that both players performed well against North Carolina's defense, as both players mixed in snaps with the starting offense. So, in the event of a change, O'Neill has shown the coaching staff that there wouldn't be a dramatic dip in production and effectiveness.

On the other side of the coin, this could also be a sign that the Tar Heels don't have a surefire QB1 on their roster. What's the saying we've echoed throughout the offseason? If you have two quarterbacks, you have none. While it's good that North Carolina has multiple competent options in the quarterback room, you also want one of them to separate themselves as the clear QB1.

Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) makes a calla at the line during the first quarter of their game against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Maybe that's what happened, but it feels like Belichick and the coaching staff chose Edwards Jr. predominantly because of his extensive experience. We'll see if that experience translates to winning football games at a high level. In general, I'm not convinced Edwards Jr. will prove to be the correct choice.

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