The North Carolina Tar Heels have been connected to an explosive quarterback in the transfer portal.
The North Carolina Tar Heels' quarterback situation is definitely in flux heading into 2026. While Gio Lopez is currently in line to be the starter, Bill Belichick probably doesn't feel too great about it, and former four-star recruit Bryce Baker decided to bolt.
Many are wondering if North Carolina will pursue another quarterback via the transfer portal, and Grant Chacere of Tar Heels Wire has pitched some possibilities for the squad.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing potential options is now former South Florida signal-caller Byrum Brown, although it won't be easy to woo him.
"UNC’s pitch is helped by Brown’s roots in Rolesville, North Carolina, just 45 minutes from Chapel Hill. There is, however, a major obstacle," Chacere wrote. "Alex Golesh, Brown’s former coach at South Florida, now leads Auburn, a program desperate for a quarterback. Brown’s familiarity with Golesh and Auburn’s strong NIL resources likely make him a long shot for North Carolina."
If the Tar Heels are somehow able to bag Brown, it would comprise a major coup for the program.
Brown threw for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 66.3 percent of his passes this season. Additionally, he rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 scores on 5.8 yards per carry.
Byrum Brown. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.The 6-foot-3, 231-pound athlete is a four-star transfer and is the sixth-ranked quarterback in the portal, via 247 Sports.
Brown initially arrived at South Florida in 2022 and became the Bulls' starting quarterback the following year, finishing with 3,292 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 picks while also racking up 809 yards and 11 scores on the ground.
The Raleigh, N.C. native then suffered a leg injury in 2024 that caused him to miss a massive chunk of the campaign, but he certainly bounced back in a big way this season.
Brown is unquestionably one of the most captivating talents in the transfer portal, so North Carolina absolutely should be expressing interest in him.
The Tar Heels went just 4-8 this year, largely due to its issues under center. Brown would definitely serve as a major upgrade over Lopez.
We'll see if UNC can convince the top dual threat to take his talents to Chapel Hill.