The Tar Heels aren’t done building their quarterback room just yet.
Despite recent portal pickups like Kaleb Jackson and Brandon Homady, North Carolina added another intriguing piece under center this weekend, landing Western Carolina transfer Taron Dickens. The former Catamount quarterback brings two years of eligibility with him to Chapel Hill-and a résumé that’s hard to ignore.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they jump off the page. In just nine games last season, Dickens threw for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only two interceptions while completing a staggering 74.2% of his passes.
He also added 321 rushing yards and a score on 97 carries. That’s not just efficient-it’s elite production, especially for a sophomore.
The year before, Dickens stepped into the starting role late in the season and went 3-1 down the stretch. Even in a smaller sample size, he showed the same poise and accuracy, completing 73.8% of his passes for 1,428 yards, 12 touchdowns and just three picks. He chipped in two more scores on the ground.
Across his career, Dickens has completed 74.0% of his throws for 5,063 yards, 51 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. That kind of ball security, paired with his ability to move the chains with his legs (371 career rushing yards and three touchdowns), makes him a compelling dual-threat option.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: size. At 5’11”, 180 pounds, Dickens doesn’t fit the prototypical mold of a Power Five quarterback.
But if his tape and stat line tell us anything, it’s that he plays a lot bigger than he measures. Accuracy, decision-making, and composure under pressure have all been clear strengths in his game-and those traits translate at any level.
Of course, the jump from the FCS to the ACC is no small leap. The speed, size, and complexity of opposing defenses will ramp up significantly.
But the upside here is obvious. Dickens brings polish, production, and a proven ability to take care of the football.
That’s a strong foundation to build on, and the Tar Heels are betting on it.
As for the quarterback competition in Chapel Hill? It just got a lot more interesting.
Dickens enters a crowded room that already includes Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr., Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill, redshirt freshman Au’Tori Newkirk, and true freshman Travis Burgess. That’s a wide-open battle, and Dickens’ experience and efficiency could give him an edge-if he handles business off the field and adjusts quickly to the elevated competition.
Bottom line: this is a high-upside move for North Carolina. Dickens may not have the size of a prototypical Power Five starter, but he’s got the production, the poise, and the potential to make a real impact. Keep an eye on him when spring ball rolls around-he could be more than just a depth piece.