Billy Edwards Jr.’s Tar Heel debut gave people plenty to argue about, and that was probably inevitable after a fall camp full of quarterback speculation.
Before the season, some fans were drawn to Miles O’Neill’s big arm and his recruiting link to Bobby Petrino through Texas A&M. Others were excited about Travis Burgess, the freshman some said reminded them of Lamar Jackson.
Edwards, by contrast, was often treated like the safe option: a beaten-up game manager whose value would come from avoiding mistakes more than creating fireworks. Social media comparisons between Edwards’ numbers and Gio Lopez’s helped fuel that conversation, and it was part of the betting picture that pushed TCU to as much as a 9.5-point favorite last week.
After the game, the debate still wasn’t settled. There was plenty to like about the way the offense functioned, especially after a season of watching Freddie Kitchens try to turn a one-read-and-go quarterback into an NFL pocket passer.
Bobby Petrino had Jordan Shipp and Jelani Thurman getting good looks, and both were among the Tar Heels’ three best offensive players on the field. TCU’s Jeremy Payne was excellent, too.
ESPN’s stat department studied the tape and offered this breakdown:
Some will look at those numbers and see a quarterback who can handle the easy stuff but not the tougher throws. Three of the contested attempts were tipped, and on two of them a second TCU defender was there in position to maybe pick it off. All three ended up hitting the ground.
Others will see something more encouraging: a quarterback who completed the throws he should complete and didn’t try to force the issue when the defense won the rep. Edwards avoided turnovers in a game played in a rain storm.
One of those 10 contested throws, for instance, was simply thrown away. And the connection with Thurman for big yardage is the kind of play that will stick in the memory from that game.
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For the Tar Heels, the arrangement adds another layer to a changing NIL world, where school branding and athlete marketing opportunities are increasingly tied together. The deal includes student-athlete NIL rights, giving UNC players a chance to take part in select Edward Jones marketing campaigns, while the broader partnership underscores how valuable major programs remain as companies look to connect with fans, recruits and athletes at the same time. [Read more 🡒]