The North Carolina Tar Heels officially name transfer quarterback Bill Edwards Jr. the starter for the 2026-27 season.
The college football season is right around the corner, and the North Carolina Tar Heels are hoping to find more success after another disappointing year under Bill Belichick. On Tuesday, the program finally found its new quarterback to lead the way in Billy Edwards Jr.
Reports indicate that the former Wisconsin Badger who transferred to North Carolina this offseason will get the start for the Tar Heels’ Week 0 opener in Ireland against the TCU Horned Frogs, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. It’s said Edwards narrowly beat out teammate Miles O’Neill.
“Sources: North Carolina has named veteran transfer Billy Edwards Jr. the team’s starter for the opener, and he’ll debut for the Tar Heels against TCU in Ireland. Edwards won a close battle with Miles O’Neill, a Texas A&M transfer who has familiarity with new OC Bobby Petrino.”
North Carolina is Edwards’ third team in his collegiate career. He spent his first three seasons with the Maryland Terrapins before transferring to the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2025-26 campaign. However, he only played two games last season, which qualified him for a redshirt.
He now finds himself leading the charge for the Tar Heels. He’s played 28 total games so far, bringing some experience to North Carolina’s offense. Billy Edwards Jr. enters the new campaign with 3,435 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with a 62.1% completion percentage.
North Carolina’s matchup against TCU will take place overseas in Ireland. It is scheduled to kick off in Week 0, on Saturday, August 29 at 12 p.m. EST. It should be a good test to see what Edwards can do for the Tar Heels as the starting quarterback.
The college football season is right around the corner, and the North Carolina Tar Heels are hoping to find more success after another disappointing year under Bill Belichick. On Tuesday, the program finally found its new quarterback to lead the way in Billy Edwards Jr.