CHAPEL HILL — Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. will be UNC football’s starting quarterback against TCU in Ireland.
ESPN's Pete Thamel was first to announce the news. The frontrunner since arriving on campus, Edwards emerges as the season-opening starter for the Tar Heels after a QB competition with Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill, freshman Travis Burgess and returner Au'Tori Newkirk. The Tar Heels and Horned Frogs play in 11 days in the opening game of the 2026 college football season.
In 11 games as a starter for the Maryland Terrapins in 2024, Edwards was second in the Big Ten with an average of 261.9 passing yards per game. He finished with 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He missed most of his lone season with the Badgers in 2025 because of a knee injury and wore a brace during spring practice with the Tar Heels.
Edwards hasn’t worn the knee brace during fall camp practice periods open to media members and is one of 60 new players on the roster in Belichick's second season. He’s shown an ability to get the ball out quickly, averaging 2.47 seconds to throw on dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus data. Edwards had 18 “big-time throws,” according to PFF, and got the ball out in 2.34 seconds in 2024. His quick decision making and ability to get the ball out to playmakers will be vital for offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s task of turning around the Heels’ offense.
The Tar Heels saw primary starter Gio Lopez transfer to Wake Forest after the 2025 season, which ended with UNC posting a 4-8 record with one of the worst offenses in the nation. Lopez was named the starting QB five days before the first game of the 2025 season.
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: Bill Belichick names UNC football starting quarterback ahead of 2026 season