North Carolina’s offense could look a lot different this season, and the changes start with how the Tar Heels want to build the whole operation around their personnel.
Bobby Petrino’s system appears to fit the roster better, and wide receiver Jordan Shipp already sounded pleased with how he figures to be used in the new scheme. That matters because the Tar Heels have real pass-catching depth, with Shipp joined by Mason Humphrey, Trech Kekahuna and Jaxxon Warren. With that kind of group, mixing formations and personnel should give the offense more ways to stress defenses than it had a year ago.
That was a problem in 2025. Former offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens had trouble challenging defenses and did not use motion, which left North Carolina with an attack that became easy to read. Petrino’s approach should be a cleaner fit for the players on hand, especially with the roster changes made this offseason.
The biggest shift, though, may be where the Tar Heels want to place their emphasis. North Carolina upgraded its offensive line and has one of the deepest backfields in the ACC, and Petrino has made it clear during training camp that the rushing game is going to sit at the center of the offense. That makes sense with Billy Edwards Jr. now officially installed as the starting quarterback.
Edwards, the Wisconsin transfer, has had trouble producing and staying healthy over his five-year college career, so the Tar Heels are likely to treat him as more of a game manager. If that’s the role, then surrounding him with a strong run game becomes even more important.
For North Carolina, the formula is pretty straightforward: play complementary football, lean on the rushing attack and avoid giving the ball away. The defense is expected to be solid enough that the offense’s job is less about fireworks and more about controlling the clock and doing its part.
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For UNC, this is more than just an early-season test on a big stage. The Tar Heels have reportedly carried the memory of that defeat through their preparation, and the defense in particular has plenty to prove after the way TCU exposed them last time around. Waters expanded role adds another layer of interest, because Carolina will need more reliable play from the back end if it wants this rematch to look different. [Read more 🡒]