Bill Belichick has dusted off his shoulders and already begun retooling for next year, following a disastrous first season at Chapel Hill
North Carolina landed former Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who committed to the program during a campus visit over the weekend, ESPN reported Sunday morning.
Edwards’ time in Madison ended after just 34 snaps, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against his former team, Maryland.
He’ll receive a medical redshirt to retain his final year of eligibility and should be ready to take the field ahead of spring practice, says ESPN.
Sources: Former Wisconsin/Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has committed to North Carolina. He’s on a visit there now. https://t.co/TkVKKMEqgI
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2026
Edwards spent his first three seasons with the Terrapins and finished second in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (261.9) during the 2024 campaign.
He’ll likely slot in for former starter Gio Lopez, who struggled last season with the Tar Heels.
Quarterback trouble was just the tip of the iceberg during North Carolina’s roller-coaster first season under the eight-time Super Bowl winner, which culminated in a brutal 4–8 record and a flurry of off-the-field controversies.
A season that began with such promise saw UNC become the laughingstock of college football, with fans leaving games by halftime and the Tar Heels getting trolled by fans, media, and opposing teams alike.
Meanwhile, the 73-year-old coach’s polarizing relationship with 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson continually fueled undesired headlines around the program.
Still, UNC and its Canton-bound coach — who signed a five-year, $50 million deal ahead of the season — have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to and confidence in the partnership.
“This year we have a better understanding of what’s in the portal — what could be in the portal — what kind of players we want from the portal that fit what we have to do here at North Carolina,” said UNC general manager Michael Lombardi after the season.
“And so we have to be ready to be able to fill the spots that we have to and that’s why it’s really important to have a grading system, to have a personnel department so that we can sit there and honestly say … we need to get a better player.” … And so from us and Coach Belichick and myself, we’re used to a lot of change.”
Belichick enters his sophomore season with something to prove, and he’ll once again be banking on a strong partnership with his quarterback.
