Taron Dickens is heading to Chapel Hill - and he’ll be doing it under the legendary eye of Bill Belichick.
The former Western Carolina quarterback, who drew interest from Syracuse during the transfer portal cycle, has committed to North Carolina. That means the Orange won’t just miss out on a talented passer - they’ll also have to face him as a conference rival.
Dickens visited Syracuse early in the new year, with a trip lined up from Jan. 8-10.
He publicly announced an offer from the Orange on Jan. 2, and there was real buzz around whether he might land in Central New York. But in the end, he chose to join Belichick’s new-look Tar Heels, giving UNC a major boost at quarterback heading into 2026.
Who is Taron Dickens?
If you haven’t watched much FCS football, you might not know Dickens - but make no mistake, this kid can play. A sophomore who’s already redshirted, Dickens lit up the FCS this past season at Western Carolina.
He threw for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. That’s not a typo - 38 TDs and only two picks.
Efficiency, poise, and production.
As a freshman, he tossed 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions, showing early signs of the quarterback he’d become. And in 2025, he led the Catamounts to seven wins while finishing as the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award - essentially the Heisman of the FCS.
The Miami native now brings two years of eligibility to Chapel Hill, where he’ll step into a program looking to re-establish itself under one of the greatest minds in football history. For Dickens, it’s a major stage. For Belichick, it’s a talented, proven quarterback to help launch his college coaching chapter.
What does this mean for Syracuse?
While missing out on Dickens stings a bit - especially with the added twist of him landing at a rival - Syracuse isn’t exactly hurting for quarterback options in 2026. In fact, the Orange have built out a pretty intriguing QB room.
The headliner is Steve Angeli, who started strong last season before tearing his Achilles in Week 4. He had Syracuse out to a 3-1 start and showed real command of the offense before the injury. He’ll be back in 2026, and if he’s healthy, he’s got a good shot to reclaim the starting role.
But the Orange didn’t stop there. They added three transfer quarterbacks from the portal: Amari Odom (Kennesaw State), Danny Lauter (Georgetown), and Malachi Nelson (UTEP). Each comes with a different skill set and story - and all three bring starting experience.
Breaking down the new faces:
Let’s start with Malachi Nelson, a name that once lit up recruiting boards across the country. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, but his college journey has been anything but straightforward.
After redshirting at USC in 2023, he had brief stints at Boise State and UTEP. At UTEP in 2025, he played six games, completing just under 55% of his passes for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Not exactly the cleanest stat line, but the talent is still there - and with two years of eligibility left, he’s a high-upside addition.
Odom, meanwhile, brings a steadier résumé. After starting his career at Wofford, he transferred to Kennesaw State and had a solid 2025 campaign.
He completed nearly 65% of his passes for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, helping lead Kennesaw to a 10-win season and a Conference USA title. He’s got two years left and has shown he can win games and protect the football.
Then there’s Danny Lauter, a Connecticut native who started 10 games for Georgetown last season. He averaged 187.1 passing yards per game and threw 11 touchdowns.
Not much of a runner - just four rushing attempts all year - but he’s a pocket passer with experience and two years of eligibility remaining. And yes, there’s a bit of Orange history in his bloodline: his grandfather was a manager for Syracuse’s 1959 national title team.
What’s next?
With Angeli returning and three transfers coming in, Syracuse has depth, competition, and options at quarterback. That’s something they haven’t always had in recent years. Sure, Dickens would’ve been a splashy addition, but the Orange aren’t walking into 2026 empty-handed.
As for Dickens, he’ll now be suiting up in Carolina blue, looking to prove he can make the jump from FCS star to FBS difference-maker. And when UNC and Syracuse meet again, there’ll be a little extra juice - because the quarterback who once visited the Dome will be on the other sideline, trying to light it up.