The transfer portal window is just about closed, and North Carolina made the most of it. With the deadline hitting on January 16, the Tar Heels have reshaped their roster with a mix of incoming transfers and returning talent - and perhaps most importantly, they just held onto one of their top defensive playmakers.
Let’s start with the headline: Greg Smith is staying in Chapel Hill. The redshirt freshman defensive back briefly entered the portal on Wednesday but withdrew just a day later, delivering a major win for UNC’s secondary heading into 2026.
Smith’s return is no small thing. After transferring from Florida, he made an immediate impact in his first season with the Tar Heels in 2025.
He played in all 12 games, racking up 25 total tackles - 16 of them solo - and notched at least one tackle in every game. His breakout moment came in Week 2 against Charlotte, when he picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards - the first interception of his college career - in a dominant 20-3 win.
But it wasn’t just the box score that told the story. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith graded out as UNC’s second-best defensive player last season with a 79.3. That’s high-level production for a redshirt freshman, and it’s a big reason why his return is such a boost for the Tar Heels.
With veteran safeties Will Hardy and Gavin Gibson now out of eligibility, Smith is set to take on an even bigger role in 2026. He primarily lined up at safety last season, but don’t be surprised if Bill Belichick and the coaching staff experiment with him at cornerback as well. Smith’s versatility and football IQ give UNC options in how they structure their secondary - and options are exactly what you want when you're trying to rebuild a defense.
Smith’s decision to stay caps off a productive portal cycle for North Carolina. On the offensive side, the Tar Heels added Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards, a player who brings experience and depth to the QB room. On defense, they landed Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald, who adds size and physicality to the second level.
And it’s not just about the new faces. UNC is also bringing back some key pieces from last season, including wide receiver Jordan Shipp and edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude - two players who flashed serious upside in 2025 and figure to be impact players again this fall.
When you put it all together - the returning talent, the incoming transfers, and a strong high school recruiting class - 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the Tar Heels. There’s still work to do, and plenty of questions to answer, but the pieces are starting to fall into place.
Now the question becomes: can UNC turn this roster into a winning product on the field? If Greg Smith continues his upward trajectory and the new additions settle in quickly, don’t be surprised if the Tar Heels make some noise in the ACC - and maybe even catch a few people off guard along the way.