The North Carolina Tar Heels just got a much-needed boost on the defensive side of the ball-and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Greg Smith, a key piece of UNC’s secondary, has decided to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to Chapel Hill, reversing a move that initially looked like another tough loss for a defense already hit hard by offseason departures. With just a day left before the portal window closed, Smith’s decision to stay is a big win for Bill Belichick and a Tar Heels program looking to stabilize after a rocky start to his tenure.
Smith played in all 12 games last season, registering 25 tackles and an interception. He wasn’t just a rotational guy-he was a reliable presence in the back end of the defense, and his return gives UNC a foundational piece to build around as they try to retool their secondary. And with his role expected to expand in 2026, Smith could be in line for a breakout year.
This is a player with serious upside. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Smith brings rare size to the safety position.
Originally recruited as a linebacker, he’s got the physicality to come downhill and help in the run game, but also the range and instincts to cover ground in the secondary. That versatility makes him a valuable chess piece for a defense in transition.
Smith began his college career at Florida in 2024 as a four-star recruit before transferring to UNC after one season. Now entering his redshirt sophomore year, he’s at a point in his development where he could take a big leap-and if he does, don’t be surprised if he grows into a leadership role on this defense.
And leadership is something this team desperately needs. The Tar Heels have seen 29 players exit the program this winter, including starting quarterback Gio Lopez and several key defensive contributors. That kind of turnover can rattle a locker room, but keeping a player like Smith helps steady the ship.
While UNC has added 16 players through the portal, the overall haul hasn’t exactly turned heads. The Tar Heels currently sit 64th in the national transfer portal rankings according to On3, which places them 16th in the ACC-only NC State ranks lower in the conference.
After a 4-8 campaign in Belichick’s first year at the helm-a season that featured multiple blowout losses and ended without a bowl appearance for the first time since 2018-there’s no sugarcoating the fact that UNC is in a rebuild. But bringing back a player like Greg Smith is a step in the right direction. He’s not just returning to the roster-he’s returning to a bigger opportunity, and possibly a starring role in a defense that needs new leaders to emerge.