UNC adds third quarterback to roster after lackluster 2025 campaign
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Bill Belichick continued to make changes to the 2026 UNC roster after a disappointing start to his college coaching career.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have released former Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens from the transfer portal, becoming the third quarterback UNC has added this summer. per on3.
The Tar Heels also have former Wisconsin signal-caller Billy Edwards Jr. and added former Texas A&M quarterback Miles O’Neill.
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Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Taron Dickens (5) points to the ball coming out of his pocket during a game between the Chattanooga Mocs and Western Carolina Catamounts on November 1, 2025 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire)
Dickens threw for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns in the 2025 season with just two interceptions. In his three seasons at Western Carolina, he had a 74% completion rate for 5,063 yards, 51 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Now Dickens has joined a crowded quarterback room where there will certainly be strong competition this spring to determine who will be Belichick’s starter in Week 1.
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Last season, the Tar Heels went 4-8 under Belichick in an uninspiring season that included off-field controversy regarding his relationship with girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick leads his team during the first half of the NCAA college football game against Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
At the same time, NFL teams fire their head coaches mid-season and Belichick was rumored to be in the running for certain positions just after the 2025 season ends. But he made a statement about his commitment to the Tar Heels and that that won’t change if an NFL team comes calling.
As a result, Belichick and his staff are focused on building the right team for a better 2026 season, which includes a change at the most important position on the field.
Last season, Gio Lopez was the Tar Heels’ primary quarterback, throwing for 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on 261 attempts. He also rushed for 133 yards on 86 carries.
Max Johnson and Au’Tori Newkirk also had limited tryouts for UNC last season.
Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Taron Dickens (5) comes out of his pocket as he looks downfield during the Chattanooga Mocs vs. Western Carolina Catamounts game at Finley Stadium on November 1, 2025 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire)
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Belichick and his staff have also been working outside of quarterback this offseason; these include offensive lineman Andrew Threatt, tight end Jaxxon Warren and defensive linemen Tarvorise Brown and Jaylen Harvey.
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