Bill Belichick announced that Billy Edwards Jr. will take the first snap for the University of North Carolina in the season‑opening game against TCU on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland. The decision comes after a 2025 campaign in which the Tar Heels’ offense ranked near the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision, averaging just 6.3 yards per passing attempt and scoring only 19.3 points per game.
Edwards, who transferred from the University of Wisconsin‑Madison in January, edged out Miles O’Neill, Travis Burgess and Au’Tori Newkirk in a tightly contested quarterback battle. His lone season with the Badgers yielded 113 yards on seven of 16 throws before a knee injury ended his start, but his experience at Maryland and Wake Forest suggests he brings a dual‑threat skill set.
A New Chapter for the Tar Heels
At Maryland, Edwards started every game in 2024, completing 65 % of his passes for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 150 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. He previously redshirted at Wake Forest before moving to Maryland, giving him a blend of experience and upside that attracted Belichick’s attention.
The 2025 season also saw the departure of both Gio Lopez and Max Johnson, who transferred to Wake Forest and Georgia Southern respectively after the Tar Heels finished 4‑8 overall and 2‑6 in ACC play. Their exits left a void that the coaching staff hopes Edwards can fill, especially with veteran offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino now overseeing the unit.
Petrino will work alongside Belichick to shape a more balanced attack, aiming to lift the team’s yardage and scoring figures in the upcoming campaign. The Tar Heels open their schedule in Dublin against TCU, a game that will serve as the first test of Belichick’s quarterback experiment and the new offensive direction.
The move reflects a broader strategy to rebuild the program’s identity, emphasizing a quarterback who can both pass and run. If Edwards can stay healthy and translate his college production to the ACC stage, North Carolina may finally break out of the inconsistency that plagued the previous year.