Could Braden Atkinson Be the Answer for UNC’s Quarterback Room?
With the transfer portal set to open on January 2, North Carolina finds itself in a familiar offseason position - shopping for offensive reinforcements. The Tar Heels are looking to reload at wide receiver, bolster the offensive line, and yes, potentially add another quarterback to the mix.
Even with Gio Lopez returning and two scholarship QBs already on the roster - redshirt freshman Au’Tori Newkirk and incoming freshman Travis Burgess - there’s a clear sense that UNC isn’t quite settled under center. Lopez struggled last season, and while Newkirk and Burgess offer promise, neither has taken meaningful snaps at the college level. That opens the door for a potential newcomer to shake things up in Chapel Hill.
So who’s out there? While names like DJ Lagway and Byrum Brown have been floated in fan circles, both come with major hurdles.
Lagway is likely SEC-bound, where the NIL money flows freely, and Brown seems poised to follow his head coach, Alex Golesh, from South Florida to Auburn. The odds of either landing in Carolina blue feel slim.
But there’s another name - one flying well under the radar - that could make a lot of sense for the Tar Heels: Braden Atkinson.
If you haven’t heard of Atkinson yet, you’re not alone. But that might actually be part of the appeal.
As a true freshman at Mercer last season, Atkinson didn’t just play well - he dominated. He threw for 3,611 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions, leading the Bears to the FCS playoffs.
That performance earned him the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the FCS - an honor previously claimed by players like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. He was also named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and landed on the All-SoCon second team.
Atkinson didn’t just break records - he rewrote Mercer’s history books. He set single-season marks for passing yards, touchdowns, and attempts, and he delivered a jaw-dropping performance against VMI, throwing for 533 yards and five touchdowns in a 62-0 blowout.
And yet, despite all that, he’s remained relatively overlooked by major programs. The only school consistently linked to him so far is Toledo, where his former head coach, Mike Jacobs, just took over.
That could - and should - change once the portal officially opens.
For North Carolina, Atkinson checks a lot of boxes. He’s a proven passer, he’s local (growing up just 45 minutes from campus), and he’s coming off a historic freshman season.
The FCS label might give some pause, but recent history tells us it shouldn’t. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders both made the leap from FCS to FBS and thrived.
And the NFL has seen its share of non-Power Five quarterbacks make waves - think Joe Flacco, Steve McNair, Tony Romo, and Kurt Warner.
Even this year, Ole Miss reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinals with a former Division II quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, under center. The talent is out there - it’s just a matter of finding it before someone else does.
Atkinson could be that kind of find for UNC. With the vertical passing game sputtering last season, the Tar Heels need someone who can stretch the field and bring a spark to the offense. Atkinson’s arm talent and production suggest he could be that guy.
Add in the potential to work with Bobby Petrino - one of the most respected offensive minds in college football - and the presence of Bill Belichick on staff, and you’ve got a situation that could be tailor-made for a young quarterback looking to take the next step.
This isn’t just about filling a roster spot. It’s about identifying a player who could elevate the offense and give North Carolina a real chance to contend in the ACC.
Atkinson might not have the big-name buzz yet, but his résumé speaks volumes. If the Tar Heels are serious about upgrading the quarterback position, he should be at the top of their call list come January 2.