North Carolina’s quarterback situation is still wide open, and that’s exactly how Bobby Petrino says it will stay for now.
After a rough first season in Chapel Hill with Gio Lopez under center, the Tar Heels are heading into another tense stretch at the game’s most important position. Lopez is gone now, having transferred to Wake Forest after a difficult single year at UNC, and the numbers from that season tell the story: he completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games. His 51.9 QBR ranked 97th nationally, and North Carolina’s offense never found its footing, averaging just 288.8 yards per game.
That backdrop is why the next decision matters so much. There’s understandable concern around how this search will unfold, especially with Bill Belichick now in the mix and plenty of pressure attached to the job. But the expectation is that North Carolina and Belichick will work through it, even if it takes some time and requires help from the coaching staff along the way.
For now, though, Petrino isn’t tipping his hand. The offensive coordinator has made it clear that the battle will remain open through the rest of the summer, leaving the starting job unresolved as the Tar Heels keep sorting through their options.
Lopez also spoke about the pressure and frustration he dealt with at UNC, and whoever wins the job next will walk into those same expectations. The competition is still alive, and Petrino says it will stay that way for the time being.
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For Tar Heels fans, it is a chance to watch one of their most talented recent players move into the next stage after a frustrating finish in Chapel Hill. The matchup will be on Prime Video at 7 p.m. ET, and while the result matters less than Wilson simply getting back on the court, there is plenty of interest in seeing how he looks in his first competitive action in a while. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger anticipation, though, is centered on Caleb Wilson, who is finally on the verge of getting back on the floor after a long layoff. Seth Trimble also made his Summer League debut for Washington, adding another Tar Heel to the leagues summer showcase, and with more UNC alumni still working through their own opportunities, this stretch has become a useful early look at how the programs recent talent is beginning to spread across the NBA. [Read more 🡒]