Bill Belichick got a first look at North Carolina’s new-look offense in the opener against TCU, and the early takeaway was pretty straightforward: the Tar Heels have some pieces to build around, but there’s still work to do.
The biggest bright spot Monday centered on the offensive line. North Carolina rolled out a front with several newcomers, including Andrew Threatt and Shaq McRoy, and the group did enough to keep things steady. It held up in pass protection and helped create room in the run game, which mattered even more with a new quarterback and a new scheme in place.
That protection gave Billy Edwards Jr. a chance to settle in, and for stretches he looked comfortable. The pocket was mostly clean, particularly in the first quarter when he went 6-of-10 for 122 yards. One game doesn’t tell the whole story, but it was a solid sign for a line with so many moving parts.
The ground game, though, was more uneven. Benjamin Hall led the backfield with 11 carries for 36 yards, but he didn’t do enough to separate himself as the clear top option.
Jaylen McGill, listed surprisingly as the RB2, made the most of his chances, picking up 33 yards and a touchdown on five carries. Demon June, who was expected by some to open the year as the starter, didn’t get his first carry until the fourth quarter.
Even so, he squeezed 25 yards out of six attempts.
For North Carolina, the early message is simple: the front showed promise, but the rushing attack has to get better, especially if Hall is going to be the lead option against stronger competition.
In Other News...
UNC Off-Field Turmoil Just Added Another Concern For Bill Belichick
North Carolinas football program is already navigating an uneasy stretch off the field, and now it has another self-imposed restriction layered onto the mix. The Tar Heels announced they will not host any unofficial visits for the upcoming game against East Tennessee State after a past recruiting violation, adding another administrative headache as Bill Belichick tries to settle in and focus attention on the season.
Michael Lombardis resignation has already reshaped the programs front office, and the new recruiting limitation only adds to the sense of churn around Chapel Hill. It also comes separate from the ongoing investigation involving defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, leaving UNC with multiple issues to manage at once while the on-field product tries to find some stability. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Misses On A Five-Star Guard Who Was Firmly In The Mix
NaVorro Bowman Jr., one of the top guards in the Class of 2027, is off the board early after committing to UConn, ending a recruiting battle that had included North Carolina, Texas and Arizona. The five-star prospect, ranked No. 11 in his class, had been firmly in the mix for the Tar Heels and was scheduled to visit Illinois before backing off that trip and making his choice.
For UNC, it is another reminder of how quickly the market can move on elite young guards, especially when a player commits this far out. Bowmans decision also gives other programs a clearer path as they recalibrate their recruiting boards, while North Carolina keeps working the class without one of the names it had targeted most aggressively. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Lands Another Huge Recruiting Chance In Massive Weekend For Malone
A busy recruiting weekend is bringing two of the top names in the 2027 class to Chapel Hill, and North Carolina is right in the middle of both pursuits. Five-star guard Jordan Page is scheduled to take an official visit to UNC this weekend, and he will be on campus with fellow five-star prospect CJ Rosser, giving the Tar Heels a chance to make a strong impression on a pair of elite targets at the same time.
For a program that keeps leaning into the top end of the high school market, the timing matters as much as the names. UNC has shown strong interest in both Page and Rosser throughout the 2027 cycle, and this trip gives the staff another chance to build on that momentum as the Tar Heels keep working to line up commitments from premier talent. [Read more 🡒]