Bill Belichick, UNC football biggest wins, losses in transfer portal ahead of 2026 season

Bill Belichick and UNC football will have at least 58 new players on the 2026 roster.

Many of the Tar Heels’ most important foundation pieces decided to stick around Chapel Hill, including wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude. After posting a 4-8 record in Belichick’s debut season as head coach, UNC had 32 players enter the transfer portal and added 19 players via the portal, as of Jan. 28.

The ACC released the Tar Heels’ full 2026 schedule on Jan. 26. Breaking down UNC’s gains and losses in the transfer portal, here’s a look at the five biggest wins and five toughest losses for the Tar Heels in college football’s version of free agency.

UNC’S 2026 SCHEDULE: UNC football schedule 2026, ACC teams playing Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels

KEY FRESHMEN: Players in UNC football’s class who could help Bill Belichick in 2026

UNC football top transfer portal players in 2026

Here are five of the top players added for the Tar Heels.

Peyton Seelmann, LB, Richmond

With Khmori House, Andrew Simpson and Mikai Gbayor no longer on the roster, the Tar Heels needed to add to their linebacker room. Seelmann helps fill the gaps at the position as an all-conference player at the FCS level. An All-Patriot League performer, Seelmann had 120 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, five pass breakups, five QB hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He had nine tackles against the Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium and finished the season with a grade of 87.7, per Pro Football Focus data. That would’ve been the best grade for a Tar Heel defender in 2025.

Billy Edwards Jr., QB, Wisconsin

New UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has a few options at quarterback, including incoming freshman Travis Burgess and Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill. But Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr., who had success as a full-season starter at Maryland in 2024, appears to be the front-runner to take the place of Gio Lopez, who transferred to Wake Forest. Edwards had 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the Terrapins in 2024. He also had five rushing TDs. With a 6-foot-3, 228-pound frame, Edwards looks the part. A knee injury cut Edwards’ time short with the Badgers, but Petrino has a knack for getting the most out of the position. Edwards had a 75.9 offensive grade in 2024, according to PFF data. Lopez was at 73.1 in his lone season with the Tar Heels.

Tarvorise Brown, DL, Florida

A 6-foot-7, 296-pound defensive lineman, Brown is an upside prospect. Following the departures of CJ Mims and D’Antre Robinson, Brown will likely be asked to contribute on the interior. He only played 27 snaps last season at Florida, but he graded out as a 74.8 tackler. With his size and background, Brown needs to be productive for the Tar Heels.

Donovan Hoilette, DL, Richmond

Another veteran who had success at the FCS level, Hoilette is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end. An All-Patriot League player and starter in all 12 games at Richmond last season, Hoilette had 48 tackles and 13 for a loss. He graded out at 77.8 on 590 snaps, per PFF data, with 27 hurries and eight QB hits.

Jelani Thurman, TE, Ohio State

A 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end from Ohio State, Thurman looks the part as a blocker and pass-catcher for a UNC squad that needed an upgrade at the position. Jordan Washington (Texas) and Jaxxon Warren (Colorado State) could also help boost the production at tight end, along with the addition of several freshmen, but Thurman appears to have the most potential. In 135 snaps, Thurman graded out at 82.2 overall, including a 72.9 grade as a pass blocker. He had seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown last season for the Buckeyes. UNC’s top tight end, grade-wise, finished at 67.8 in 2025.

UNC football toughest transfer portal losses in 2026

Here are five of the toughest losses for the Tar Heels.

Tyler Thompson, DE, Louisville

The Tar Heels’ top edge rusher outside of Abou Jaoude, Thompson is a Cary native who started to blossom into a force for Belichick’s defense in the latter stages of last season. Thompson had 26 tackles, including 7 ½ for loss and seven sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Thompson and the Cardinals will come to Kenan Stadium on Nov. 14.

CJ Mims, DL, Texas A&M

One of the Tar Heels’ most reliable and productive players on the interior as a defensive lineman, Mims had 42 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. A veteran and consistent tackler, Mims’ presence will be missed in Chapel Hill.

D’Antre Robinson, DL, Oregon

After transferring from Florida, Robinson became one of the Tar Heels’ top defensive linemen. He had 39 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder was known as a run defender and reliable tackler.

Khmori House, LB, Arkansas

The Tar Heels’ leading tackler and a captain in Belichick’s first season, House finished with 81 tackles across 12 games as a starter after transferring from Washington. House’s departure hurts because of his familiarity with defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and the continuity that could’ve provided in 2026. But his production did wane down the stretch as missed tackles became a problem. Still, House’s departure hurts a unit that lacks veteran depth entering 2026.

Bryce Baker, QB, Virginia Tech

Baker went from being introduced alongside Belichick at halftime of a basketball game to not playing a snap as a true freshman for the Tar Heels. With three players ahead of him on the depth chart, the writing was on the wall for a transfer at season’s end. Baker ended up at ACC foe Virginia Tech, where he could end up reaching his potential as a thorn in the Tar Heels’ side.

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Bill Belichick, UNC football biggest wins, losses in transfer portal

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