North Carolina’s work in the transfer portal this offseason may end up mattering even more for what comes next.
The Tar Heels had to rebuild their roster through the portal ahead of this upcoming season, and head coach Michael Malone addressed that process Thursday while speaking with the media. Malone said his first run through the portal taught him plenty, and he believes next year’s class can be even stronger.
That confidence makes sense given how the staff handled this offseason. Malone was hired late, had no prior experience working the portal, and was building a roster while learning the entire operation on the fly. In that context, putting together a group of this quality was no small feat.
A big reason for that success was the addition of Chuck Martin, a move that did not get nearly enough attention. Malone brought in one of the country’s top recruiters from John Calipari’s staff, a clear sign of the respect he carries around the game. Martin has helped assemble elite classes at both Kentucky and Arkansas.
North Carolina’s portal class ranked No. 9 this offseason, according to 247Sports. With a full season of experience now in hand and the coaching staff already in place well before next year’s window opens, there’s a real chance the Tar Heels climb even higher next time around.
They may not be a true title threat in 2026, but if this season helps establish the culture, 2027 is the year this group could be pushing firmly at the door. After the way the early part of the offseason unfolded, getting to No. 9 was impressive enough. Doing it again with more time and better preparation could take this roster to another level.
In Other News...
UNC Backfield Pecking Order Already Looks More Unsettled Than Fans Expected
The Tar Heels backfield already looks like it could be more of a committee than a clean depth chart, and the latest game only reinforced that idea. Benjamin Hall handled the bulk of the workload, while Jaylen McGill also played a meaningful role and found the end zone, giving UNC multiple options instead of a single clear lead runner.
Demon June, meanwhile, had a much quieter night and did not get a carry until the fourth quarter, a usage pattern that adds another layer to how North Carolina appears to be sorting out its running backs. With the staffs tendency to spread work around and the rotation in recent games, the first weeks of the season are already leaving more questions than answers about who the Tar Heels trust most in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Front Office Drama Just Cast A Shadow Over Belichick's Rebuild
Michael Lombardis brief run as North Carolina footballs general manager ended this week, with his resignation coming after a paid administrative leave that began July 27. The leave stemmed from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee, and the university has said its investigation into Lombardi will continue even after his departure.
For Bill Belichicks rebuild in Chapel Hill, the timing adds another layer of off-field uncertainty just as the season approaches. Lombardi and his lawyer have said he wants to clear his name and let the program move forward, but the front-office shakeup leaves the Tar Heels dealing with one more storyline they did not need. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Investigation Just Became A Bigger Staff Crisis Than Fans Feared
UNCs football program is still trying to find its footing after a jarring week that pushed the off-field inquiry deeper into the spotlight. Michael Lombardis resignation as general manager only widened the sense that this is no longer a narrow personnel matter, but a larger examination of how the Tar Heels staff has been operating while questions swirl around alleged sexual misconduct and drug use involving staff members.
Steve Belichick and members of the recruiting staff have reportedly been pulled into the investigation, which makes the situation even more unsettling for a program trying to build stability. No conclusive findings have been reported, and the review remains ongoing, leaving UNC with a major internal issue to sort through before it can fully turn the page. [Read more 🡒]