Tar Heel Times

ESPN's Bill Connelly has high praise for UNC football's transfer portal class

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:31:00 -0400

After a dreadful first portal effort, this was a much more Bill Belichick transfer class, featuring three tight ends and explosive Patriot Leaguers in WR Mason Humphrey (Lehigh) and LB Peyton Seelmann (Richmond). He also might have found some discount buys in nickel Ade Willie (Michigan State) and linebacker Derek McDonald (Syracuse), who were solid.

Newsletter: UNC Basketball Coaching Search Coming Into Focus, Portal Losses Begin

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:43:00 -0400

The UNC Basketball coaching search is coming into focus now that Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May have committed to remain with their programs. Transfer portal losses have begun in men’s and women’s basketball, Marcus Paige has found a new coaching home, Football gained one commitment and lost another, and much more.

2026 OL Cristian Alvarez commits to UNC Football

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:17:00 -0400

Three-star offensive lineman Cristian Alvarez, who signed with Delaware in December has committed to UNC Football. Alvarez plans both wrestle and play football for the Tar heels. Alvarez, a 6-foot-4, 295-pounder from Montvale, NJ, also held offers from Air Force, Army, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Navy, Temple, and multiple Ivy League programs.

Four-star safety Marquis Bryant decommits from UNC Football

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:53:00 -0400

North Carolina lost a blue-chip football recruit ahead of the 2026 season. Marquis Bryant, a 4-star safety and No. 188 player on Rivals' big board, decommitted from the Tar Heels on Wednesday. Bryant was the highest-ranked commit in the 2027 UNC Football recruiting class and the only one from North Carolina. "My recruitment is 100% open."

Newsletter: UNC Basketball Coaching Search, Smith Center Debate Tabled, Caleb Wilson To NBA Draft

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:51:00 -0400

The North Carolina Men's Basketball coaching search is in full swing, Caleb Wilson is off to the NBA Draft, the Smith Center vs. new arena debate is tabled for the time being, spring football kicks off with two commitments, Women’s Basketball falls in the Sweet 16, Baseball has a 4-0 week, and Women’s Lacrosse’s win streak ends at 31.

Linebacker Tasheem Butler commits to UNC Football

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 16:44:00 -0400

Glassboro, New Jersey 3-star linebacker Tasheem Butler committed to UNC on Saturday, giving the Tar Heels their fourth pledge in the 2027 football recruiting class. Butler chose UNC over offers from Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Appalachian State, and Akron, among others. He recently picked up an offer from the Tar Heels, detailing his excitement about the program.

All-Purpose Running Back Isaiah Stephens Commits to UNC Football

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 16:38:00 -0400

Class of 2027 Arkansas running back Isaiah Stephens committed to UNC Football during his first visit to Chapel Hill on Saturday. "I chose North Carolina because the coaching staff believes in my potential and I feel like that’s where I belong." UNC extended an offer to Stephens, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound back from Sheridan (Ark.) High, over a year ago.

Newsletter: Hubert Davis Out?, UNC Women's Basketball to Sweet 16, Caleb Wilson to the Rafters

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Has Hubert Davis coached his final game at North Carolina? We’ll likely find out very soon. UNC Women’s Basketball advanced to the Sweet 16, Caleb Wilson’s jersey is headed to the Smith Center rafters, Tar Heel Football is hosting its Pro Day Monday, the Diamond Heels downed Louisville, and there’s another National Champion in Chapel Hill.

Bill Belichick's quarterback shakeup at UNC: FCS record breaker joins Tar Heels

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:49:00 -0400

In an effort to revamp UNC's offense, Bill Belichick has landed his third offseason quarterback transfer in Western Carolina's Taron Dickens. An FCS record-breaker for the Catamounts, Dickens joins Maryland's Billy Edwards and Texas A&M's Miles O'Neill at quarterback following a position overhaul and hiring Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator.

THT Newsletter: Caleb Wilson Injured, Baseball Sweeps, Malloy Smith Offered, Dylan Mingo To Commit

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:13:00 -0400

It was quite the eventful week in UNC Athletics. Caleb Wilson suffered a broken hand, the Diamond Heels swept their season opener, Kenny Smith’s son Malloy Smith received a basketball offer, Carolina Football signed a transfer quarterback, Courtney Banghart secured win No. 400, Softball scored 44(!) runs in 2 games, and Dylan Mingo is set to commit.

UNC Football Signs Former Western Carolina QB Taron Dickens

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:53:00 -0400

Western Carolina transfer QB Taron Dickens has signed with UNC. Last season, Dickens had 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 74% completion percentage. He added 321 rushing yards and a touchdown. In three seasons of college football, Dickens has 5,063 yards, 51 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 74% completion percentage.

Newsletter: Trimble's Triple, Banghart's Big Win, Surratt's Super Sunday, Remembering James Spurling

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:34:00 -0400

What a week in UNC sports! Seth Trimble became a legend, Women’s Basketball beat State in their house, Chazz Surratt won a Super Bowl, two future Tar Heels were named McDonald’s All-Americans, Coby White is coming home, RJ Davis was honored, we remember the life and legacy of James Spurling, and more.

380-Pound Offensive Lineman Dujuan Davis Commits To UNC Football

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:21:00 -0400

Just days before National Signing Day, UNC Football added a late piece to its 2026 recruiting class, as 3-star offensive lineman Dujuan Davis committed to the Tar Heels and plans to sign Wednesday. Davis, a 6-foot-9, 380-pounder from Clearwater (Fla.) Central Catholic High, received a scholarship offer from UNC on Monday and committed immediately.

Bill Belichick the latest to visit elite defensive end Mekai Brown

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:24:00 -0400

Greenwich (Conn.) Country Day four-star defensive end Mekai Brown is clearly coveted by college football programs as he’s held court with myriad coaches from numerous schools this month. North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is awfully familiar with the Northeast, and he was the latest to come out to Connecticut and visit with the blue-chip pass-rusher.

Video: Scouting UNC Football's Transfer Portal Class - Washington, Thurman, Jackson, McRoy, Willie

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:21:00 -0400

Jason Staples and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina look at tight ends Jordan Washington and Jelani Thurman, running back Kaleb Jackson, offensive lineman Shaq McRoy, defensive back Ade Willie, and what these transfer portal signees will bring to UNC Football in 2026.

THT Newsletter: The Jarin Stevenson Game, Tar Heels headed to Super Bowl

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:04:00 -0400

Jarin Stevenson had himself a game in UNC’s upset of Virginia, Drake Maye and three other Tar Heels are heading to the Super Bowl, Carolina Basketball commits Maximo Adams and Kate Harpring are doing big things, Women’s hoops went 2-0 this past week, and the Diamond Heels have a week of spring scrimmages in the books.

THT Newsletter: UNC Basketball's Bay Area Blues, Dylan Mingo Update, Drake Maye to AFC Championship

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:56:00 -0400

Hubert Davis’ seat is heating up as UNC Basketball continued its disappointing defensive run by dropping both games of its California road trip, Dylan Mingo pushes back his commitment date, Drake Maye leads the Patriots to the AFC Championship game, Women’s Basketball sweeps the Sunshine State, Football lands an LSU transfer, and more.

West Virginia Offensive Line Transfer Brandon Homady Commits To UNC Football

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:02:00 -0400

UNC Football added another offensive lineman from the Transfer Portal on Monday, as West Virginia transfer Brandon Homady signed with the Tar Heels. Homady, a 6-foot-3, 298-pound Cleveland native, spent one season with the Mountaineers, appearing in 11 games and seeing most of his action on special teams. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

LSU transfer running back Kaleb Jackson commits to UNC Football

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:29:00 -0400

LSU transfer running back Kaleb Jackson is committing to UNC Football via the NCAA Transfer Portal. He’s spent the past three seasons in Baton Rouge. Over the course of his time with the Tigers, he’s amassed 82 carries for 331 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson played high school football in Baton Rouge, La., where he was a four-star recruit.

Offensive Lineman Sean Thompkins flips transfer commitment from UNC to LSU

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 18:56:00 -0400

LSU has earned a commitment from Baylor offensive tackle Sean Thompkins to the 2026 roster. It was not long ago that Thompkins announced his commitment to UNC but he never officially signed with the Tar Heels, instead electing to take a visit to Baton Rouge over the weekend. He played 460 snaps all at left tackle for the Bears, and graded out at 47.9.