North Carolina’s second week of fall camp arrives with the Tar Heels still more than three weeks away from opening the college football season in Dublin, and the spotlight isn’t just on the starters. With Bill Belichick trying to steer the program toward a turnaround in 2026, the depth chart is where a lot of the early value could be found.
That’s especially true on defense, where pass-rush help can come in a hurry. One name to watch is pass rusher Mupoyi, one of two former Penn State edge players on the roster.
He worked as a rotational defender last season, and while the raw production didn’t fully reflect what was seen on tape, the traits are obvious: short-area quickness, burst off the snap and the flexibility to turn the corner. North Carolina may not ask him to start right away because of his limitations against the run, but as a pure third-down rusher, he looks ready to matter.
At receiver, Tucker is another backup who could carve out a bigger role. He flashed in last year’s 17-16 overtime loss to Virginia, finishing with eight catches for 41 yards, but he managed only one grab for four yards after that.
Now a redshirt freshman, he enters the 2026 season as a possible rotational option while Trech Kekahuna and Mason Humphrey handle the spotlight at the Z-spot and slot. Tucker also has a chance to help guide true freshman standout CJ Sadler.
Tight end depth is in decent shape too. Jaxxon Warren and Jelani Thurman appear to be the starters, but Jordan Washington gives the Tar Heels another interesting piece.
The former Texas Longhorn showed some useful moments in Austin as both a receiver and blocker, and his size stands out. As a redshirt sophomore, he still has time to develop into a future starter.
The secondary has similar upside beyond the first group. Coleman Bryson and Greg Smith look set as the starting safeties, but true freshman Weatherspoon could push for snaps early.
A former 4-star recruit, he brings ball skills and range that could make him a real factor in the back end. Long term, he has starter potential; in the short term, he looks like the kind of rotational safety who can force Belichick’s hand.
And with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino planning to lean on the run, the backfield becomes even more important. Demon June and Benjamin Hall sit at the top of the running back room, but LSU transfer Kaleb Jackson brings another useful option. His short-yardage ability should give North Carolina help in the tight spots, especially on fourth-and-shorts.
In Other News...
Bill Belichick Sees One UNC Newcomer Ready Faster Than Another
North Carolina has spent the offseason leaning on the transfer portal to patch holes, and as training camp moves into its second week, the defensive side of the ball is still sorting itself out. Bill Belichick singled out two newcomers in particular, both brought in to help a unit that needed reinforcements, with the Tar Heels continuing to sort through competition for starting jobs.
One of those additions is already viewed as ready to step in right away, while the other comes with a longer runway and more room to grow. The contrast says plenty about where UNC is right now: some needs can be filled immediately, while others are going to be decided over time as camp wears on and players keep fighting for position. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Shipp Is Becoming A Voice UNC Desperately Needed
North Carolina is trying to reset after a frustrating 2025 season, and the early tone around the program has been less about hype than about order. As the Tar Heels look ahead to 2026, Bill Belichick, Jordan Shipp and Melkart Abou Jaoude have all been part of the conversation, with Shipp emerging as someone willing to speak plainly about what the team needs. His message has centered on accountability and cohesion, two things that felt in short supply during a year defined by roster instability and the administrative leave of general manager Michael Lombardi.
Shipps voice matters because UNC is not just looking for talent right now, it is looking for a steadier locker room identity. When a season goes sideways, the next step is usually less about schemes than about whether players can trust one another and stay aligned through the noise. Shipp has made it clear he sees that as part of the job, and the Tar Heels could use more of that kind of presence as they move into a pivotal offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Belichicks First UNC Preseason Could Shape The Programs Entire Momentum
North Carolina enters Bill Belichicks first preseason in Chapel Hill with plenty still to sort out after a 4-8 finish in 2025 and a winter and spring marked by heavy roster movement. The Tar Heels leaned on transfer-portal activity and recruiting to reshape the roster, hoping the new staff could quickly change the programs trajectory and create some real momentum heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
The pressure now is on the field, where stability around the coaching staff and an immediate jump in performance could matter just as much as the personnel upgrades. With Belichick already under scrutiny, this season has a way of feeling bigger than a normal first year, because how UNC handles the fall may end up shaping not just the record, but the longer-term outlook for recruiting and the programs direction. [Read more 🡒]