North Carolina LB Mikai Gbayor enters NCAA transfer portal

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North Carolina linebacker Mikai Gbayor has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He started his college career at Nebraska and spent Spring 2025 with Missouri.

Gbayor appeared in all 12 games for UNC this past season, totaling 41 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. That came after an impressive 2024 campaign at Nebraska where he set career-highs with 49 tackles for loss and 6.0 tackles for loss, while adding a sack.

All told, across his four years at Nebraska and one season at North Carolina, Gbayor has 114 total tackles to go with 11.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He did not suit up in either 2021 or 2022 with the Cornhuskers.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Mikai Gbayor played high school football at Irvington (N.J.), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 638 overall player from the 2021 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

North Carolina is getting ready for the second year of the Bill Belichick era after a rough go through the 2025 season. The Tar Heels finished 4-8, including a three-game losing streak to close things out.

UNC has once again been active in the transfer portal this cycle, notably landing two quarterbacks. Former Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and former Texas A&M quarterback Miles O’Neill are both on their way to Chapel Hill, and they’ll join new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. He is now in to replace Freddie Kitchens, and North Carolina announced his hiring Friday.

“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” Belichick said in a statement. “He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.”

Petrino spent this past season as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas and took over as the interim head coach following Sam Pittman’s departure. The Razorbacks ranked fourth in the conference with 454.8 total yards per game, and their 32.9 points on average ranked fifth.

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