UNC Football’s Transfer Portal Overhaul: 5 Key Additions and 5 Costly Departures in the Belichick Era
Bill Belichick’s second year in Chapel Hill is already shaping up to be a defining one. After a rocky 4-8 debut season, the Tar Heels are undergoing a serious roster reset - and we’re not talking about a few tweaks around the edges. With 32 players exiting via the transfer portal and 19 new faces coming in (as of January 28), UNC is looking at a roster with at least 58 new players heading into 2026.
That’s not just turnover - that’s transformation.
Despite the exodus, UNC managed to retain some key building blocks, including wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude. But with the ACC schedule now officially released, attention shifts to how this new-look team will stack up. Let’s dive into the five biggest wins - and five toughest losses - for the Tar Heels in this year’s transfer portal shuffle.
Top 5 Transfer Additions for UNC Football in 2026
1. Peyton Seelmann, LB - Richmond
UNC’s linebacker room took a hit this offseason, but Seelmann brings instant credibility and production. He was a tackling machine at Richmond, racking up 120 stops, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, five QB hurries, a forced fumble, and a recovery - all while earning All-Patriot League honors.
And here’s the kicker: He graded out at 87.7 on the season, per Pro Football Focus - a number that would’ve led all Tar Heel defenders in 2025. Seelmann isn’t just a plug-and-play guy. He’s a tone-setter, especially for a defense trying to find its identity under Steve Belichick.
2. Billy Edwards Jr., QB - Wisconsin
The quarterback battle in Chapel Hill is wide open, but Edwards enters as the frontrunner. After a strong 2024 campaign at Maryland - 2,881 passing yards, 15 TDs, nine picks, and five rushing scores - he transferred to Wisconsin but was limited by a knee injury.
Now healthy, Edwards brings size (6'3", 228 lbs), experience, and a solid 75.9 offensive grade from his last full season. For comparison, Gio Lopez - now at Wake Forest - posted a 73.1 in his lone year with UNC. With Bobby Petrino calling plays, Edwards could thrive in a system built to stretch the field and punish defenses vertically.
3. Tarvorise Brown, DL - Florida
Brown is a bit of a wildcard, but the upside is hard to ignore. At 6'7", 296 pounds, he’s a physical specimen with the frame to wreak havoc on the interior.
He didn’t see much action at Florida (just 27 snaps), but when he was on the field, he graded out as a 74.8 tackler.
With CJ Mims and D’Antre Robinson gone, UNC needs Brown to be more than a project. They need him to be a presence. If he can tap into his potential, he could be a disruptive force up front.
4. Donovan Hoilette, DL - Richmond
Another FCS standout making the leap, Hoilette brings production and experience to a defensive line in flux. At 6'4", 245 pounds, he started all 12 games for Richmond last season and tallied 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 27 QB hurries.
His 77.8 grade on 590 snaps shows he can hold up over the course of a season. With that kind of motor and consistency, Hoilette could be a valuable edge presence for a defense that lost key contributors.
5. Jelani Thurman, TE - Ohio State
UNC’s tight end room needed a boost, and they may have found their guy in Thurman. A former Buckeye, the 6'6", 250-pounder brings both size and versatility.
He caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last season, but it’s his overall game that stands out.
Thurman earned an 82.2 overall grade in limited snaps, including a 72.9 as a pass blocker - both significant upgrades over UNC’s top tight end from last season, who finished at 67.8. With more reps, Thurman could become a key piece in Petrino’s offense.
Top 5 Transfer Portal Losses for UNC Football in 2026
1. Tyler Thompson, DE - Louisville
This one stings. Thompson was coming into his own as a pass rusher, finishing with 26 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and seven sacks.
He also forced two fumbles and was building real momentum as a difference-maker off the edge.
A Cary native, Thompson’s departure to Louisville creates a significant void - not just in production, but in potential. And yes, he’s scheduled to return to Kenan Stadium on November 14. That could be a tough watch for Tar Heel fans.
2. CJ Mims, DL - Texas A&M
Mims was a rock in the middle of UNC’s defensive line. With 42 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, he brought consistency and leadership to the front seven.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was reliable - the kind of player every defense needs.
Replacing that kind of steady presence won’t be easy, especially with so many new faces in the rotation.
3. D’Antre Robinson, DL - Oregon
After transferring from Florida, Robinson became a key cog in UNC’s defensive front. At 6'4", 315 pounds, he was a space-eater who could also make plays - 39 tackles, a forced fumble, and a recovery.
He was known for his run-stopping ability and sure tackling. Losing him, along with Mims, leaves UNC thin on proven interior defenders.
4. Khmori House, LB - Arkansas
House was the Tar Heels’ leading tackler and a team captain in Belichick’s first year. He brought energy, leadership, and familiarity with Steve Belichick’s system after arriving from Washington.
He racked up 81 tackles in 12 starts.
Yes, his production dipped late in the year and missed tackles became an issue, but his departure still leaves a leadership void. In a linebacker room short on veteran depth, House’s exit will be felt.
5. Bryce Baker, QB - Virginia Tech
Baker’s UNC career never really got off the ground. Despite being introduced alongside Belichick at a basketball game - a symbolic moment for the program - he didn’t see the field as a true freshman.
With three QBs ahead of him, a transfer felt inevitable. But landing at Virginia Tech, an ACC rival, adds a layer of intrigue. If he develops there, Baker could become a long-term headache for the Tar Heels.
What It All Means
Belichick and his staff knew changes were coming - and they didn’t shy away from the challenge. The Tar Heels are in the middle of a full-scale rebuild, and while the turnover is dramatic, there’s also a sense of direction.
They’ve added proven playmakers at key positions, but they’ve also lost some serious talent - especially on the defensive line and at linebacker. The 2026 season will be a test of how quickly this new group can gel, and whether the coaching staff can turn potential into production.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t the same UNC team from a year ago. And with Belichick leading the charge, the Tar Heels are betting that all this change leads to something better.