UNC football transfer portal tracker, latest news, developments
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It’s been a busy few days in the college football transfer portal for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels, who have added 10 players via the portal since the two-week window opened Friday, Jan. 2.
UNC picked up commitments from three players on Tuesday, Jan. 6: Sean Thompkins (Baylor OL), Ade Willie (Michigan State CB) and Miles O’Neill (Texas A&M QB). O’Neill is the most notable addition, giving UNC its second commitment from a quarterback in the portal. Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. is also set to join the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels posted a 4-8 record in 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.
UNC is also reportedly losing starting quarterback Gio Lopez to the portal after one season. Lopez started 11 of 12 games, but the offense was among the worst in the nation. UNC added Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. to the QB room on Jan. 4.
But the Tar Heels got big news on Jan. 6 with the announcement of two key players returning in defensive lineman Melkart Abou-Jaoude and wide receiver Jordan Shipp. UNC announced via social media that it re-signed both players for the 2026 season.
The college football transfer portal officially opened Jan. 2, and closes Friday, Jan. 16. 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, who’s joining and who among key players is returning for the Tar Heels through Jan. 6.
Who is joining UNC football via the transfer portal?
Here’s a breakdown of the latest players expected to join the Tar Heels, through Jan 6.
Miles O’Neill, QB (Texas A&M)
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback from Texas A&M, O’Neill is the second portal QB to join the Tar Heels. The New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023, O’Neill was a backup QB for the Aggies, who made the College Football Playoff. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 120 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions this season.
Ade Willie, CB (Michigan State)
The first transfer portal player in the secondary to commit to the Tar Heels, Willie redshirted after an early injury this season. A 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back, Willie appeared in 30 games at Michigan State. He spent most of his time at the nickel spot and safety. He has 34 tackles in his career.
Sean Thompkins, OL (Baylor)
A 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman, Thompkins is the second offensive lineman to join the Tar Heels via the portal, joining Charleston Southern’s Andrew Threatt. A starter in the final six games of the season for the Bears, Thompkins played 460 snaps at left tackle, according to Pro Football Focus data.
Trech Kekahuna, WR (Wisconsin)
Kekahuna will follow quarterback Billy Edwards to Chapel Hill. A 5-foot-10, 185-pound receiver, Kekahuna has 55 catches for 614 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games as a Badger.
Jonathan Bibbs, WR (Louisiana Monroe)
One of three players in the portal to commit to UNC on Jan. 4, Bibbs had 26 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns as a 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver last season. He joins a revamped receiver room at UNC that includes headliner Jordan Shipp.
Jaylen Harvey, EDGE (Penn State)
A 6-foot-2, 246-pound edge rusher for the Nittany Lions, Harvey committed to the Tar Heels on Jan. 5. He had nine tackles, including a sack, in nine games as a redshirt freshman. He is the sixth portal commitment since it opened on Jan. 2.
Jaxxon Warren, TE (Colorado State)
A 6-foot-8, 255-pound tight end from Colorado State, Warren spent two seasons with the Rams before committing to the Tar Heels via the transfer portal on Jan. 5. Marred by injuries to his shoulders and feet, Warren opened the 2025 season with six catches for 79 yards and a TD before a foot injury in September sidelined him. Warren gives UNC some experience in a tight end room that includes junior Shamar Easter, along with incoming freshmen Dream Rashad and Carson Sneed.
Tarvoise Brown, DL (Florida)
A Gator for the last two seasons, Brown played defensive line and appeared in three games this season as a walk-on defender. He fits the mold as a 6-foot-6, 296-pound lineman and adds depth to a strong defensive line group of returners.
Billy Edwards Jr., QB (Wisconsin)
UNC added a QB via the portal on Jan. 4. Edwards missed most of the 2025 season at Wisconsin with a knee injury, but he had success the previous three years at Maryland. Edwards has thrown for 3,430 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with 13 rushing TDs.
Andrew Threatt, OL (Charleston Southern)
Threatt, who committed to UNC on Jan. 4, was a three-year starter at Charleston Southern. He was a right tackle and left guard for the Buccaneers as a 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman. The Tar Heels desperately needed to add some experienced starters and this is a solid first step.
Who is leaving UNC football via the transfer portal?
Here’s a breakdown of the latest players expected to leave the Tar Heels through Jan 6.
Gio Lopez, QB
Accoridng to multiple reports on Jan. 5, Gio Lopez is entering the transfer portal after starting 11 of 12 games at quarterback for the Tar Heels. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns, but also had five interceptions and multiple fumbles.
Javarius Green, WR
After entering the transfer portal, former UNC wide receiver Javarius Green has committed to Boston College.
Austin Alexander, EDGE
Alexander, a freshman edge rusher, had three tackles across three games for the Tar Heels.
UNC football transfer portal additions
List updated as of Jan. 6.
- Miles O’Neill, QB (Texas A&M)
- Ade Willie, CB (Michigan State)
- Sean Thompkins, OL (Baylor)
- Trech Kekahuna, WR (Wisconsin)
- Jonathan Bibbs, WR (Louisiana Monroe)
- Jaylen Harvey, EDGE (Penn State)
- Billy Edwards Jr., QB (Wisconsin)
- Jaxxon Warren, TE (Colorado State)
- Tarvoise Brown, DL (Florida)
- Andrew Threatt, OL (Charleston Southern)
What UNC football players are in transfer portal?
List updated as of Jan. 6.
- Guytano Bartolomeo, K
- Gio Lopez, QB
- Austin Alexander, LB
- 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
UNC football players re-signing with Tar Heels
Here’s a list of key UNC football players re-signing with the Tar Heels as of Jan. 6.
- Jordan Shipp, WR
- Melkart Abou-Jaoude, DE
- Kaleb Cost, DB
- Jaiden Patterson, DB
- Demon June, RB
- Leroy Jackson, DL
When does the transfer portal open, close?
College football’s transfer portal opened Jan. 2 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 players to enter the transfer portal in 2026. After entering the portal, players have the option to choose a school at any time.
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, Jan. 7. Who have the Heels added?
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