UNC football transfer portal tracker: Latest news, developments

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Pass-rushing specialist Tyler Thompson, Starting linebacker Khmori House and backup quarterback Max Johnson are among the UNC football players planning to enter the transfer portal after the 2025 season.

The Tar Heels posted a 4-8 record in head coach Bill Belichick’s debut year, which ended with the program missing out on a bowl bid for the first time since 2018. Belichick quickly shifted UNC’s focus to 2026, announcing a 39-player recruiting class on Dec. 3, the opening day of the early signing period.

The college football transfer portal officially opens Friday, Jan. 2, and closes Friday, Jan. 16, but decisions are being made in December. The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Network will update information about UNC’s activity with the transfer portal throughout the two-week window.

Here’s a breakdown of who’s leaving and who’s joining the Tar Heels as of Jan. 2.

Who is leaving UNC football via the transfer portal?

Here’s a breakdown of who’s expected to leave the Tar Heels as of Jan 2.

Tyler Thompson, LB

One of the Tar Heels’ top pass rushers is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to reports from On3, Inside Carolina and TarHeel247. Thompson was among UNC’s top defenders, finishing with 26 tackles, including seven sacks, this season. He also had the highest PFF grade (85) on the team.

Malcolm Ziglar, DB

The sophomore defensive back had five tackles and an interception for the Tar Heels. The Fuquay-Varina native announced his decision on Dec. 15.

Kenedy Uzoma, WR

Uzoma announced his decision on Dec. 13. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound wide receiver didn’t see the field as a freshman.

Max Johnson, QB

The Tar Heels’ backup quarterback after a season-ending leg injury in 2024, Johnson is planning to enter the transfer portal, On3’s Peter Nakos reported on Dec. 5. Johnson appeared in four games this season, finishing with 432 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Miles McVay, OT

An Alabama transfer, McVay on Dec. 5 announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. The offensive lineman appeared in eight games for the Tar Heels, finishing with the fourth-best grade (69.5) among the team’s offensive linemen, per PFF. McVay spent most of his time at left tackle and right tackle.

Khalil Conley, CB

A defensive back for the Tar Heels, Conley had two tackles in two games in the 2025 season. On Dec. 5, Conley announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. He appeared in eight games and played 51 snaps.

Javarius Green, WR

A two-year graduate at UNC, Green announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 5. The second-year wide receiver had 13 catches for 150 yards across nine games.

Khmori House, LB

The headliner among the early players planning to leave the Tar Heels, House came from Washington and started all 12 games at linebacker in his lone season at UNC, playing a team-high 777 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He led the team with 78 tackles. House announced his decision to enter the portal on Dec. 4.

Jason Robinson, WR

A Washington transfer, Robinson appeared in one game and played two snaps for the Tar Heels. On Nov. 30, Robinson announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.

Chris Culliver, WR

A junior wide receiver, Culliver announced on Nov. 30 that he plans on entering the transfer portal. In three seasons with the Tar Heels, Culliver had 12 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 15 kickoff returns for 449 yards and two TDs.

Jani Norwood, OL

After appearing in one game as an offensive lineman this season, Norwood announced on Dec. 5 that he will be entering the transfer portal.

Ty White, CB

On Dec. 4, White announced his plans to enter the transfer portal in January. The sophomore cornerback had three tackles in the 2025 season. He appeared in four games and played 36 snaps.

Paul Billups, WR

On Dec. 1, Billups announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. He had four catches for 27 yards as a freshman but didn’t appear in a game as a sophomore.

William Boone, OT

On Nov. 25, Boone announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The Tar Heels’ top left tackle in the first three games of the season, Boone played 98 snaps before sitting out for the rest of the year with an injury. He still ended the year with UNC’s top grade (72.2) among offensive linemen.

Yasir Smith, TE

In late October, Inside Carolina reported Smith was no longer a part of the team. The freshman tight end didn’t appear in a game this season.

Trevyon Green, OL

Green appeared in the first two games of the season before sitting out for the rest of the year. He was a starting left tackle for the Tar Heels in 2024.

Aziah Johnson, WR

A Michigan State transfer, Johnson played five snaps against Charlotte before leaving the program. He appeared in 12 games with the Spartans in 2024, playing 285 snaps.

What UNC football players are in transfer portal?

List updated as of Jan. 2

Jaylon Nichols, RB
Kamarion Thomas, DL
Chinedu Onyeagoro, LB
Bryce Baker, QB
Alex Taylor, WR
Devin Ancrum, DL
Tyler Thompson, LB
Malcolm Ziglar, CB
Kenedy Uzoma, WR
Jake Johnson, TE
Davion Gause, RB
Max Johnson, QB
Miles McVay, OT
Khalil Conley, CB
Javarius Green, WR
Khmori House, LB
Jason Robinson, WR
Chris Culliver, WR
Jani Norwood, OL
Ty White, CB
William Boone, OT
Yasir Smith, TE
Paul Billups, WR
Trevyon Green, OL
Aziah Johnson, WR

When does the transfer portal open, close?

College football’s transfer portal opens Jan. 2, the day after the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, and closes Jan. 16, three days before the CFP national championship game. With the spring portal window in April no longer a part of the schedule, that two-week period in January is the only open window for teams to add via the transfer portal in 2026.

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football transfer portal tracker: Latest news, developments

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