A rocky 2025 season
The Tar Heels finished last year with a 4‑8 record, and their offensive line was identified as one of the nation’s weakest units, struggling to protect the quarterback and open running lanes.
Injuries derailed the unit early, sidelining junior Aidan Banfield, a 2024 Freshman All‑American, after a brief appearance, and Christo Kelly, the returning center who transferred from Holy Cross, who broke his ankle in the season opener and missed the remainder of the campaign.
With most of the previous line’s starters gone, new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and head coach Bill Belichick set about rebuilding the group, bringing in graduate transfers Andrew Threatt and JacQawn McRoy, and welcoming seven early‑enrollment freshmen, among them highly touted prospect Will Conrad.
The new pieces bring a mix of experience and raw potential; McRoy, a 6‑8, 344‑pound former Arkansas lineman, is expected to anchor the interior, while Threatt, ranked 50th in the 2026 transfer class, adds depth at the edge. Freshman Will Conrad, the highest‑rated offensive‑line recruit in the class, is still developing but is expected to compete for a starting spot.
Looking ahead
Coaches point to the extra time together during spring drills as a catalyst for cohesion, yet they acknowledge that the unit’s ceiling is likely to remain average, especially as two projected starters will be transitioning from FCS to a Power 4 conference. The Heels hope modest gains in protection will translate into more consistent production for the offense, but the line’s performance will ultimately cap how far the team can climb in the ACC.