Bill Belichick and North Carolina’s Quarterback Battle Has a Winner With about a week and a half to go before its opener, North Carolina reportedly has its man at starting quarterback. The Tar Heels plan to start quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. in their opener against TCU on Aug. 29, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Pete Thamel of ESPN. Edwards, a 23-year-old Northern Virginia native, played for Maryland from 2022 to ’24 and for Wisconsin in ’25. (He first enrolled at Wake Forest, where he took a redshirt in 2021.) He beat out Miles O’Neill, a participant in eight games at Texas A&M, for the gig. The subtext of coach Bill Belichick’s decision: This is one North Carolina has to—has to—get right. In 2025, poor quarterback play severely hampered North Carolina. Belichick’s first starting quarterback in the college ranks was Gio Lopez, a transfer who’d enjoyed a rock-solid ’24 at South Alabama. Lopez’s first game against the Horned Frogs on Labor Day was a catastrophe, as he completed just four of 10 pass attempts for no touchdowns and one interception while rushing seven times for -10 yards. Better days were ahead—he completed 75% of his passes for four touchdowns combined against Syracuse and Stanford around Halloween. It wasn’t enough, however, to mask his regression with the Tar Heels—and the lack of personnel around him. Lopez is now a member of the Demon Deacons, who won’t play North Carolina this year barring unforeseen circumstances. Edwards will attempt to right the ship. His numbers are not overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination, but there’ve been multiple points in his career where he’s been able to get the job done. In 2023, the Terrapins called upon him to start the Music City Bowl against Auburn, and he was named MVP of a 31–13 win despite an unsightly 30% completion percentage.#north_carolina #tcu #bill_belichick #billy_edwards_jr #miles_oneill
North Carolina Names Billy Edwards Jr. as Starting Quarterback for Season Opener North Carolina has officially named veteran transfer Billy Edwards Jr. as the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback for the season opener against TCU in Ireland, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Tuesday. Edwards, 23, emerged victorious in a competitive selection process against Miles O’Neill, a transfer from Texas A&M who had prior experience working with new Tar Heels offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The decision marks a significant moment for the program as it seeks to rebuild its offensive identity under new leadership. Edwards’ journey to this point has been shaped by a combination of resilience and opportunity. The quarterback began his collegiate career in 2021 as a redshirt freshman at Wake Forest, where he spent a season gaining experience before transferring to Wisconsin. His path took an unexpected turn during his time at Wisconsin, where he suffered a noncontact injury in the Badgers’ season opener, leading to a medical redshirt. This injury not only disrupted his 2023 season but also prompted the NCAA to grant him an additional year of eligibility, allowing him to return to the field in 2024. The 2024 season proved to be a breakout year for Edwards. After transferring to Maryland, he became the full-time starter and delivered standout performances that solidified his reputation as a reliable leader. In 2024, Edwards threw for 2,881 yards and accounted for 15 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure. One of the most memorable moments of his season came during a 29-28 upset victory over USC, where he orchestrated a dramatic finish. With just 53 seconds remaining on the clock, Edwards scored the winning touchdown on a 3-yard run and completed 39 of 50 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns.#north_carolina #tcu #billy_edwards_jr #miles_oneill #bobby_petrino
