As the college football offseason gears up, the North Carolina Tar Heels find themselves staring down a familiar challenge: roster turnover. With the transfer portal officially opening on January 2, UNC’s coaching staff has some serious work to do. Between outgoing transfers and graduating veterans, there are key areas on both sides of the ball that need immediate attention if the program wants to stay competitive in 2025.
Let’s break down the five position groups that should be at the top of North Carolina’s transfer portal wish list - not just for depth, but for impact.
Quarterback: The Top Priority
No surprise here - quarterback is priority No. 1.
Gio Lopez is expected to return, but UNC can’t afford to head into next season with its current QB room. Bryce Baker, a highly-regarded freshman, is hitting the portal, and Max Johnson is also on his way out, seeking another year of eligibility elsewhere. That leaves Lopez, Au’Tori Newkirk, and incoming freshman Travis Burgess as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
That’s not just thin - it’s risky.
The Tar Heels need a proven, veteran signal-caller who can step in and compete for the starting job right away. Someone who brings experience, poise, and leadership to a room that’s suddenly very young. After an inconsistent season from the offense, a steady hand under center could go a long way in stabilizing the unit.
Wide Receiver: Rebuilding the Room
The wide receiver corps has taken a hit, and it’s not just about numbers - it’s about production.
Kobe Paysour has used up his eligibility, and Chris Culliver is heading elsewhere. That’s two big names gone, and a position group that’s been hit harder than any other by the portal so far.
Jordan Shipp has indicated he’ll be back, which is a relief for the Tar Heels. But even with Shipp returning, this group needs reinforcements. Whoever ends up starting at quarterback is going to need reliable targets - and right now, the depth chart is looking thin.
UNC should be aggressive in pursuing multiple wideouts who can contribute immediately. Whether it’s a possession guy who can move the chains or a vertical threat who can stretch the field, the Tar Heels need to restock this room with ready-to-play talent.
Offensive Line: Experience Wanted
If you’re counting offensive line snaps from last season, the picture gets even more urgent.
Out of 3,551 total offensive line snaps in 2025, UNC is losing players responsible for 3,150 of them. That’s a staggering turnover - and a clear signal that the portal will need to be a major resource for replenishing the trenches.
Last year, the Tar Heels relied on eight different linemen who each logged at least 100 snaps. This year, most of that group is either graduating or transferring out. That kind of attrition makes it critical to bring in veteran linemen who can step in and play right away - not just for depth, but to anchor the offense.
Expect UNC to go after plug-and-play guys who have seen real snaps at the college level. Protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game starts up front, and the Tar Heels can’t afford to miss here.
Linebacker: Another Reset
For the second year in a row, UNC is facing a near-total reset at linebacker.
Last season, the Tar Heels did a solid job replacing Amare Campbell and Power Echols with Khmori House and Andrew Simpson. Both players made meaningful contributions, but neither will be back in 2025. Simpson was a one-year rental, and House is now looking for a new home after just a single season in Chapel Hill.
That leaves the linebacker room with more questions than answers - again.
UNC needs to find not just one, but likely multiple linebackers who can step in and play right away. Ideally, they’ll land guys with more than a single year of eligibility to help build some continuity at a position that’s become a revolving door.
Secondary: Reloading After Key Departures
The back end of the defense isn’t immune to the offseason shuffle, either.
Thaddeus Dixon is gone after exhausting his eligibility, and Marcus Allen - a multi-year starter who never quite lived up to expectations - is also moving on. That’s a lot of snaps and experience walking out the door.
Whether or not Allen reached his full potential is beside the point - the Tar Heels now have to replace two veteran defensive backs who logged significant time.
Adding a few experienced corners or safeties from the portal would go a long way in stabilizing the secondary. With the ACC boasting plenty of pass-heavy offenses, UNC can’t afford to be thin on the back end. They’ll need players who can communicate, cover, and tackle - preferably ones who’ve done it at the Power Five level.
Bottom Line
North Carolina’s offseason to-do list is long, but these five position groups stand out as the most urgent. The transfer portal isn’t just about filling holes - it’s about finding the right fits, the right leaders, and the right playmakers to keep the program moving forward.
With the portal officially opening on January 2, expect UNC to be active early and often. The pieces are there for a strong bounce-back - but only if the Tar Heels can land the right reinforcements.