UNC football transfer portal tracker, latest news, developments: Tar Heels add 8 more
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It’ll be a mad dash to the finish line in the college football transfer portal for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels, who have added 18 players via the portal since the two-week window opened Friday, Jan. 2.
The two-week window closes Jan. 16. The Tar Heels have added eight transfers to the roster in the last few days, including two defenders, two tight ends, two offensive lineman, a wide receiver and kicker.
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.
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. 12.
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 12.
Donovan Hoilette, DL (Richmond)
A 6-foot-4 defensive end, Hoilette was a first-team all-conference player for the Spiders. He had 48 tackles, including 13 for loss.
Jordan Washington, TE (Texas)
The Tar Heels needed to improve their depth at tight end. Washington, a 6-foot-4, 264-pounder, gives UNC a third option at the position. He had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown last season with the Longhorns.
Jelani Thurman, TE (Ohio State)
A 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end, Thurman had seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in 2025 for the Buckeyes.
Aeron Burrell, K (LSU)
An All-SEC kicker for the Tigers, Burrell averaged 64.7 yards per kickoff for the third-best mark nationally. He also ranked third in touchback percentage (89.1%).
Rowan Byrne, OT (Clemson)
A 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle, Byrne is UNC’s fourth offensive lineman commitment. He has four years of eligibility.
Derek McDonald, LB (Syracuse)
A hip injury cut his season short after four games, opening the path for a medical redshirt.
Shaq McRoy, OL (Arkansas)
A 6-foot-8, 344-pound lineman, McRoy appeared in eight games for the Razorbacks this season. He played 58 snaps.
Mason Humphrey, WR (Lehigh)
The second receiver to join the Tar Heels, Humphrey had 35 catches for 651 yards and four touchdowns as a junior this season.
Who is leaving UNC football via the transfer portal?
Here’s a breakdown of the latest players leaving the Tar Heels through Jan 12.
De’Antre Robinson, defensive lineman
One of the Tar Heels’ top defensive lineman, Robinson entered the transfer portal officially on Jan. 12. He had 38 tackles for the Tar Heels and was rated as the top run defender in the group with a grade of 72.8, per Pro Football Focus data.
CJ Mims, defensive lineman (Texas A&M)
Mims entered the transfer portal and quickly committed to Texas A&M. Like Robinson, Mims was among UNC’s most reliable defensive lineman. He had 42 tackles and two sacks, posting a PFF grade of 69.7.
UNC football transfer portal additions
List updated as of Jan. 12.
- Donovan Hoilette, DL (Richmond)
- Jordan Washington, TE (Texas)
- Jelani Thurman, TE (Ohio State)
- Aeron Burrell, K (LSU)
- Rowan Byrne, OT (Clemson)
- Derek McDonald, LB (Syracuse)
- Shaq McRoy, OL (Arkansas)
- Mason Humphrey, WR (Lehigh)
- Peyton Seelmann, LB (Richmond)
- Miles O’Neill, QB (Texas A&M)
- Ade Willie, CB (Michigan State)
- Sean Thompkins, OL (Baylor)
- Trech Kekahuna, WR (Wisconsin)
- 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. 12.
- D’Antre Robinson, DL
- CJ Mims, DL
- 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. 12.
- Isaiah Johnson, DL
- 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. 13. Who have the Heels added?
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