Football

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Here is who ranks No. 4 on the Tar Heels' 2026 roster.

Recent Articles

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

Here are areas the Tar Heels improved and didn't improve in ahead of the 2026 season.

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

These three Tar Heel players face immense pressure to perform, even with uncertainty at a specific position heading into fall camp.

Sep 13, 2019; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet lays on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Here is who cracks the top five on the Tar Heels' 2026 roster.

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

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks, but another position group is generating excitement following additions from the transfer portal.

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

Here are a handful of transfers who should make an impact right away in Chapel Hill.

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

Here is who ranks No. 6 on the Tar Heels' 2026 roster.

North Carolina has several highly-recruited players on its roster.

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-USA TODAY Sports

Here are a couple of Tar Heels who could develop into stars this upcoming season.

Dec 28, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet lays on the field prior to the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

As we near the top of the list, here is who ranks No. 7 on the Tar Heels' 2026 roster.

Here are a few players who will produce and meet their expectations based on how much the Tar Heels invested in them.

Here is how the Tar Heels' starting lineup could look like heading into Week 1.

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Despite last year's debacle, there is always a path for North Carolina to reach the ACC Championship in December.

UNC Chapel Hill freshman quarterback Drake Maye throws a touchdown pass in the first half of the game against Notre Dame at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sept. 24, 2022

Drake Maye is one of the greatest players to ever play for the North Carolina Tar Heels program. His recent success in the NFL scratches the surface of what he could become.

This Tar Heels defender is ready to take the next step as a superstar in Chapel Hill is a matter of when, not if.

The Tar Heels' head coach is facing heavy criticism heading into the 2026 season.

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

With training camp right around the corner, let's take a look at the most pivotal positional competitions for the Tar Heels ahead of the 2026-27 college football season.

Oct 4, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The North Carolina Tar Heels wore camouflage helmets in honor of military appreciation day against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Virginia Tech Hokies won 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Here is a look at who ranks eighth on the Tar Heels' 2026 roster.

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

If you're looking for reasons to have hope for North Carolina football this fall, this is the right place. There are plenty of them to go on ahead of the 2026 season.