UNC Football
Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Football.
Jelani Thurman Tabbed To Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
North Carolina tight end
Jelani Thurman has been named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, which recognizes the nation's top collegiate tight ends. Thurman, in his first season with the Tar Heels, is one of 43 players tabbed to the watch list and one of eight from the ACC to garner the recognition. He spent the past three seasons at Ohio State. (
GoHeels.com)
UNC place-kicker Verhoff returning for fifth college football season
North Carolina place-kicker
Rece Verhoff is set to return to Chapel Hill for a fifth college football season after a court ruling granted him a fifth season of eligibility, giving the Tar Heels their leading scorer from a season ago. UNC announced his return in a social media post on Wednesday morning. Verhoff earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors in 2025. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
2026 UNC Football Wide Receiver Overview
When new UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino arrived in Chapel Hill, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Tar Heels' offense was who would emerge alongside
Jordan Shipp in the passing game. Fortunately, the Tar Heels enter 2026 with what appears to be one of the deepest and most versatile receiver position groups in recent memory. (
Heels on Franklin)
Former UNC running back Elijah Green challenges the conversation surrounding athlete mental health
Making the jump to college football at UNC,
Elijah Green had a problem: he couldn’t catch the ball. Elijah arrived in Chapel Hill in 2020 as a 3-time Georgia state champion and 4A Player of the Year. Yet the RB who spent his childhood dreaming of the NFL found himself with a racing heart and shaky hands, hoping the QB wouldn't send the ball his way. (
Daily Tar Heel)
Shaquille O’Neal Featured Among 2026 Performers for Chapel Thrill Concert Series
UNC has announced its setlist for the 2026 Chapel Thrill Concert Series. The series is part of the school’s “Chapel Thrill Game Day,” which debuted in 2025. The concerts are the centerpiece of the festivities, with the stage located on Polk Place in front of Wilson Library in the heart of the UNC campus. Each performance is free and open to the public. (
Chapelboro.com)
What Will Bobby Petrino's UNC Offense Be Built On?
If you've heard Bobby Petrino speak since becoming UNC's offensive coordinator in January, it's clear his offense will be predicated on running the football. In just two press conferences since arriving at North Carolina, Petrino has repeatedly emphasized the importance of running the ball effectively. "We've got to be a team that can run the ball physically." (
TarHeel247)
Melkart Abou Jaoude Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
UNC defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. Abou Jaoude was a Second Team All-ACC selection a season ago, after ranking fifth nationally and leading the conference in sacks with 10.5 following the regular season. (
GoHeels.com)
UNC's Offensive Line Rebuild Underway in Training Camp
North Carolina returns six offensive linemen — Jordan Hall,
Aidan Banfield, Eidan Buchanan,
Christo Kelly,
Byron Nelson and Trey Blue — but the group logged limited game experience in 2025. Hall led the returners by playing 29% of the Tar Heels’ offensive snaps last season, followed by Banfield (25%), Buchanan (9%) and Kelly (3%). (
Inside Carolina)
Lawrence Taylor's Dominance Forced the NFL to Change Forever
Lawrence Taylor's impact reached far beyond his ability to lift the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles—his relentless destruction made such an impact on the game that certain strategies that were adapted to deal with his relentless style of play still are part of the game today. Taylor reached his peak on the Giants' road to winning Super Bowl XXI. (
Sports Illustrated)
Chapel Thrill Game Day To Feature Wide Variety Of Acts This Fall In Free Concert Series
Chapel Thrill Game Day, a fun and family-friendly event that brings together Tar Heel fans before every home football game, will return to UNC this year. Located in the heart of campus on Polk Place and presented by the Rams Club, the pre-game party will feature a talented slate of national recording artists and performers for a free concert series. (
GoHeels.com)