Could Josh Hoover Be the Answer for Bill Belichick and UNC?
As the North Carolina Tar Heels look to reset at quarterback heading into 2026, all eyes are on the transfer portal-and one name keeps surfacing: Josh Hoover.
The Tar Heels' quarterback room is in a state of transition. Gio Lopez had a rocky 2025 campaign, showing flashes late in the season but ultimately falling short of expectations.
Meanwhile, highly touted recruit Bryce Baker has opted to leave Chapel Hill before ever taking a snap. UNC did bring in four-star prospect Travis Burgess earlier this month, but relying on a true freshman to lead a Power Five offense is always a gamble.
Enter Hoover, the TCU signal-caller who just wrapped up a strong season and is now officially in the portal. If North Carolina is looking for a steady, experienced hand-and all signs point to that being the case under Bill Belichick’s new regime-Hoover checks a lot of boxes.
Let’s start with the frame: At 6'2", 200 pounds, Hoover fits the mold for a traditional pro-style quarterback. That matters, especially if Belichick is planning to implement an offense that leans on under-center concepts and NFL-style structure. Hoover’s build and experience make him a logical fit for that system.
And then there’s the production. Hoover threw for 3,472 yards this past season, with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing nearly 66 percent of his passes.
He’s not just a stat-padder, either-Tar Heel fans saw him up close in the season opener, when he carved up UNC’s defense for 282 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-36 passing. That kind of efficiency, especially in a high-pressure environment, doesn’t go unnoticed.
Looking back to 2023, Hoover actually posted even bigger numbers: 3,949 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 11 picks while completing 66.5 percent of his throws. He’s shown he can handle a full season as a starter, and he’s done it in a competitive Big 12 landscape.
Of course, Hoover isn’t without flaws. He’s got a bit of a gunslinger mentality-24 interceptions over the last two seasons tell that story.
He’s not shy about testing coverages, and while that can lead to big plays, it also means he’s occasionally prone to forcing throws into tight windows. His arm strength is solid but not elite, so he’ll need to be smart with his decisions, especially against faster, more complex ACC defenses.
Still, when you stack him up against what UNC had in 2025, Hoover would represent a clear upgrade. Lopez, despite some improvement late in the year, never found consistent rhythm and failed to eclipse 2,000 passing yards.
For a team trying to establish a new identity under Belichick, quarterback stability is going to be priority No. 1.
The transfer portal officially reopens on January 2, and Hoover will be one of the top names available. If North Carolina is serious about competing in 2026-and if Belichick wants a quarterback who can run a structured, pro-style offense with poise and experience-then Josh Hoover deserves a long, hard look.
This could be the bridge the Tar Heels need between a turbulent 2025 and a more promising future.