The University of North Carolina announced on Tuesday that Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer quarterback from the University of Wisconsin, will be the Tar Heels' starter for the 2026 season. The decision follows a quarterback competition that also involved several returning players and newcomers.
Edwards arrives after a season in which he missed most of 2025 due to a knee injury, a setback that forced him to wear a brace during spring practice in Chapel Hill. Despite the injury, the coaching staff praised his rapid decision‑making and his ability to deliver accurate passes under pressure.
In 2024, Edwards ranked second in the Big Ten for passing yards per game, averaging 261.9 yards, and finished the season with 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the Maryland Terrapins. His performance earned him a reputation as one of the most efficient passers in the conference.
A New Era for the Tar Heels
The Tar Heels will open the season abroad, facing Texas Christian University in Dublin, Ireland, a matchup that will showcase the new‑look offense. The game marks the first of what coaches expect to be a transformative year for the program.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who returned to UNC for his second season, said he will rely on Edwards' quick release — averaging 2.47 seconds on dropbacks according to Pro Football Focus — to breathe new life into a unit that posted one of the nation's worst offensive rankings in 2025.
The move comes after Gio Lopez, the previous starter, transferred to Wake Forest following a 4‑8 campaign that left the Tar Heels with a historically weak offense. With 60 new players on the roster, including the quarterback, Petrino believes the blend of experience and fresh talent can reverse the team's fortunes.