UNC Football

Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Football.

Josh Downs among 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2026 NFL season

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is an undersized, slot-only speedster who will take on a bigger role this season. After averaging 11.2 yards per catch across his first two seasons, that figure dropped to 9.8 last year. Expect Downs to be heavily involved, especially in the quick game, as Daniel Jones works his way back from a torn Achilles. (CBS Sports)

Video: IC Podcast - 2026 UNC Football Preview with Phil Steele

Phil Steele joins Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Spencer Haskell to highlight the process of covering every FBS school with extensive analysis in the transfer portal era. Steele shares his thoughts on the Tar Heels' 2026 football schedule and his predictions for year two of the Bill Belichick era at UNC. (View Video)

Julius Peppers Was a Star Before He Stepped on the Field - The Scouting Report That Proved It

I travelled to North Carolina for the Tar Heels' regular-season finale against Duke in November of 2001 to personally scout Julius Peppers. At the morning breakfast, his frame, which measured 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds at the time, was an intimidating sight. Yet when I spoke with Peppers, who was a junior at the time, he couldn't have been any nicer. (Essentially Sports)

Bill Belichick calls for uniform rules across NFL, NCAA; tampering enforcement

Bill Belichick advocated for the NFL and NCAA to work together to standardize football rules between the levels. "You watch multiple games on Saturday and see one set of rules. And you turn on the game on Sunday, and you have a different set of rules." On tampering, Belichick focused less on the rules themselves and just called for enforcement. (MSN.com)

North Carolina Football GM Michael Lombardi Under Investigation After HR Complaint

Michael Lombardi, who was placed on administrative leave Monday, is under investigation after a former UNC employee filed a Human Resources complaint against him, a source close to the situation confirmed. The decision to place Lombardi on leave was announced by Dean Stoyer, the vice chancellor of communications and marketing at UNC. (TarHeel247)

30 Tar Heels Participating in NFL Training Camps

Thursday was the start of NFL training camps around the league, meaning 30 former UNC Football players will begin their pursuit of spots on 53-man rosters across the 32 teams. To get you ready for preseason football, here’s where we think each player stands entering their respective camps and if we believe they end up making a roster this season. (Heel Tough Blog)

UNC Football General Manager Michael Lombardi Placed on Paid Leave

The University of North Carolina announced on Monday morning that football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately. The official statement did not provide further details, and noted that university leadership, staff, and student-athletes were prohibited from addressing the matter. (Inside Carolina)

Newsletter: CJ Rosser Visits, 4 New Basketball Offers, Football Training Camp Nears, MLB Signings

CJ Rosser, the nation's No. 1 basketball recruit, was back in Chapel Hill this past week, and Michael Malone's UNC Basketball staff extended four new scholarship offers. Bill Belichick says his second UNC Football team barely resembles his first, even with the quarterback race wide open. And several Tar Heels cashed MLB Draft signing bonuses. (Tar Heel Times Newsletter)

Drake Maye hungry, focused after sting of Patriots' Super Bowl loss

The sting of the Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks hasn’t gone away for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, but neither has his drive to keep getting better. At Patriots training camp Saturday, Maye talked about last year’s breakout season and what he’s looking for this season, which starts with a Sept. 9 rematch against the Seahawks. (Tar Heel Tribune)

What Bobby Petrino Brings to UNC’s Offense

Bobby Petrino has brought an old-school feel to Chapel Hill during 15 spring practices, emphasizing player development, especially at quarterback. With fall camp — and the season — fast approaching, Petrino has quickly taken control of UNC's offense, implementing a scheme that Bill Belichick said resembles the one he ran in New England. (TarHeel247)

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