Previous previews: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Offensive Line, Defensive Line
With the first game of the season now just a week away, we continue our position previews this week starting with the linebacker group. This may be the most unknown unit on the team thanks to the loss of the top three linebackers and top two tacklers from the ACC’s sixth best defense last season.
Key Losses
As mentioned the Tar Heels lost their top two tacklers this past season in Khmori House (a Steve Belichick transfer from Washington), the teams leading tackler who transferred to Arkansas (the Razorbacks have converted him to DB in what I can only assume is a hybrid role), and Andrew Simpson, who finished second on the team in tackles and sacks, to graduation (Simpson is currently not on any NFL squad which further speaks to the whole 33rd team the leadership has developed). They also lost their third best linebacker Mikai Gabayor, who transferred to Florida State. Those three accounted for 22.4% of the teams total tackles (178), 21.9% of the teams sacks (7), and 33% of the teams interceptions (2).
Returning Players
The top three returning linebackers for North Carolina this season are Timir Hickman-Collins, Jonathan Agumadu, and Daniel Anderson who combined for 23 tackles in 31 appearances last season. Hickman-Collins is a redshirted sophomore transfer from Florida State whose best game came in a loss to Wake Forest where he had 5 tackles. Agumadu meanwhile is a redshirted sophomore transfer from Oklahoma State whose best game was a six tackle outcome against Richmond. Anderson is a 6’1, 245 lb redshirted sophomore who is entering his third season with the Tar Heels. His best game also came against Richmond, where he had two tackles. The Tar Heels also return three redshirted freshmen in Jake Bauer, Tyler Houser, and Lantz Pascal who combined to appear in four games last season (all by Bauer). If you look at this group and think they need reinforcements, you aren’t the only one, which leads us to our next group.
Transfers
Unlike at the running back position, the brain trust saw the need for help and did bring in two transfers in red-shirted senior Derek McDonald and junior Peyton Seelmann. McDonald is a transfer from Syracuse who only appeared in four games last season for the Orange accumulating just six tackles before suffering a season-ending injury. McDonald’s best season came his sophomore year where he started every game and finished third on the team in tackles and had a career high 2.5 sacks. Seelmann meanwhile comes from Richmond, an FCS school that went 17-8 during his two seasons. Seelmann finished last season with 120 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. However, in his two games against FBS opponents (2024 vs Virginia and 2025 vs UNC), Seelmann combined for just 12 total tackles as the Spiders were outscored 75-19 against two squads that finished a combined 9-15.
Incoming Freshmen
Much like with transfers, UNC went out and brought in five freshmen to help build depth for this linebacker squad. The best of that group is DQ Forkpa the 14th best linebacker and sixth best overall prospect from Minnesota. Forkpa is joined by Calvin Thomas (42nd best linebacker, 73rd best prospect in Texas), Ashton Blatt (72nd best DL transitioning to linebacker, 16th best prospect in Pennsylvania), Jayden Griffin Haynes (55th best linebacker, 27th best prospect in North Carolina), and Jordan Avinger (73rd best Athlete transitioning to linebacker, 24th best prospect in South Carolina).
Overall, this group does not provide much confidence though one could argue it offers lots of potential. The biggest issue is the team replaced its top three linebackers with two transfers, one of which is coming off a serious injury after seeing his playing time diminish and another who has struggled against FBS opponents in the past, and a bunch of unproven freshmen and redshirted returnees. If the defensive line does not get to the opposing quarterback or fails to stop the opposing running back in the backfield, the other teams receivers and backs may be looking at a lot of open field to take advantage of.
What do you think of the team’s linebacking core? Let us know in the comments below.