CHAPEL HILL - Bill Belichick is out of training camp and into game-prep mode, but not all the way there yet.
Speaking Friday morning at the Kenan Football Center, the North Carolina coach said the Tar Heels are finished with camp as they shift toward their season opener against TCU on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland. The next step includes a mock game on Saturday, and Belichick said the program’s focus over the next few days is to move toward Horned Frogs preparation while also “to regain our health, regain our energy.”
Carolina has already done some early scouting on TCU, but Belichick said the full dive into the opener is still coming. He also confirmed that Billy Edwards will start the first game, though he stopped short of saying Edwards will take every snap or that another quarterback won’t get an opportunity.
That came after a camp competition that also included Miles O’Neill, who started both scrimmages. Belichick didn’t hide his respect for how both quarterbacks handled the battle.
“I have a lot of respect for the way those guys handled the competition.”
He added of Edwards: “Billy's more consistent and has more experience, and that showed up.”
Belichick also addressed several special teams questions, including the kicking and punting jobs and the possibility of some of the 40 true freshmen helping on different units. He said Rece Verhoff has boosted the kicking room.
After the press conference, there was another development on the roster front: the players involved in the Colorado court case were ruled ineligible after the NCAA prevailed before the Tenth Circuit.
Belichick said the staff is still evaluating players currently in NFL training camps who have been granted NCAA eligibility, but any addition would involve a long list of hurdles.
“There are a number of factors involved that we'd have to work through”
Those factors include admissions, NIL, revenue share, class accreditation, and class structure. Belichick also noted that classes have already started at UNC, unlike at some other schools, which could make it tougher for Carolina to bring in one of those players.
On the defensive side, Steve Belichick remains on medical leave, and Bill said there was no change in how the staff would handle things if his son is not in Ireland next week. Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco would be in charge and making the calls.
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The support around Edwards has been a focus, too, with the Tar Heels leaning on offensive line additions Andrew Threatt and Shaq McRoy to strengthen protection and open up more for the quarterbacks. Bobby Petrinos offense also figures to lean on the run game, where Demon June and Hall have been singled out as important pieces. If those parts come together, North Carolina may finally have the kind of stability fans have been waiting to see. [Read more 🡒]
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For UNC, the significance goes beyond one player on paper. Fens, who transferred from South Dakota, now remains positioned to help the Tar Heels in the seasons ahead, and the update adds another layer of reassurance to a frontcourt that already includes other cleared players. In a program where size and rotation flexibility can shape everything, keeping that option alive is a notable win even with the broader eligibility battle still hanging in the background. [Read more 🡒]