UNC Football

Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Football.

Trech Kekahuna Brings Gritty Mindset to UNC Wide Receiver Group

At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, North Carolina wide receiver Trech Kekahuna does not possess the same frame as a "typical" Power Four receiver, but Kekahuna makes up for it with a rugged mindset. "I'm an 11-on-11 dude," Kekahuna said. "There's 7-on-7 dudes, there's 1-on-1 dudes, but when it's 11-on-11 with pads, I'm a guy who will be reliable." (TarHeel247)

Video: UNC Football 2026 Preview with Bill Belichick, Jordan Shipp, Melkart Abou Jaoude

Bill Belichick enters year two in Chapel Hill. Defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude returns to help anchor the UNC defense, and wide receiver Jordan Shipp is coming off a season where he led the Tar Heels in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. The three join the ACCDN for a preview of the 2026 season. (View Video)

Bill Belichick Breaks Down Four Key UNC Defenders

UNC Football opened Week 2 of training camp Thursday morning at the Koman Practice Complex and there’s still plenty to learn about the Tar Heels’ defense. Before practice, however, Bill Belichick shared his thoughts on four defenders he believes will play key roles for North Carolina in 2026 — Jaylen Harvey, Ade Willie, Kaleb Cost, and Leroy Jackson. (Inside Carolina)

Power Echols Signs With Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks signed linebacker Power Echols on Friday. Echols, a three-year starter and a team captain at North Carolina, initially came into the league as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Bears following the 2025 NFL Draft. Echols was later signed to Chicago's practice squad. He also spent time on Houston's practice squad last season. (Seattle Seahawks)

A Bill Belichick call at Buc-ee’s changed UNC LB Derek McDonald’s football path

Derek McDonald was at a Buc-ee’s in Florida, unsure where the next step in his football journey would take him when he got a phone call. He might have had his mind on a brisket sandwich, but that quickly changed. "I got a call from a Massachusetts number, and it’s like, 'Hey, this is Bill Belichick,'" McDonald said. "I’m like, 'Yeah, I know who you are.'" (Tar Heel Tribune)

UNC Football's Acclimation Period is Complete, Now Position Battles Truly Begin

North Carolina donned full pads for the first time since training camp started on Wednesday but was back in shorts and shoulder pads on Thursday, which was the Tar Heels' seventh practice ahead of the 2026 college football season. Thus, it signals a strong shift for the team, as it's entering the next phase, and perhaps the most telling part of camp. (TarHeel247)

How UNC wide receiver Trech Kekahuna adds 'dog mentality' to Tar Heels offense

Trech Kekahuna feels like he’s always been overlooked. That’s just what happens to players from Hawaii, he said. But as the transfer receiver from Wisconsin looks to carve out a role in UNC’s wide receiver group, he’ll lean on his background. "I feel like being from Hawaii just builds like a type of dog mentality, and I feel like I have that inside of me." (MSN.com)

Colts WR Josh Downs sees opportunity approaching

This is Josh Downs' moment. "I'm trying to show I'm a really good receiver," the Indianapolis Colts wideout said. He averaged 787 receiving yards and 103 targets in his first two seasons (2023-2024) and seemed to be an ascending player. But myriad factors impacted Downs' usage last season, when he had a career-low 566 yards on 58 receptions. (ESPN)

College football archenemies for every power-conference team

We compiled a list of the archenemies of every Power-4 school and the stories that make them public enemy No. 1. North Carolina: Bobby Bowden. If the Tar Heels are the "sleeping giant" of college football, credit Bowden with doling out strong doses of ZzzQuil. From 1992, when the 'Noles joined the ACC, through 2000, Florida State was 9-0 vs. UNC. (ESPN)

Competition Ramping Up As UNC Football Enters Second Week Of Camp

UNC Football coach Bill Belichick preached the importance of fundamentals in the early days of practice. Now, with just three weeks until kickoff in Ireland, everything is shifting into a second gear. "The competition has started, but to play real football, I think you have to evaluate real football. We’re ready to start playing, and that’s when evaluations start." (Inside Carolina)

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