AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
UNC finished its preseason acclimation period late last week, and its starting quarterback competition is underway.
Read more UNC quarterback battle taking shape, Belichick says it is ‘really competitive’
Coach Bill Belichick said Friday certain players have made moves and gained reps, but the battle to lead UNC’s offense hasn’t finished. There is no deadline or set timeline to name the starter, he added.
“I don’t think there’s a leader in the clubhouse,” Belichick said, “but it’s been very competitive. They’ve all had a lot of really good moments, and a couple that they’d probably like to have back, like all of us do.”
Belichick previously has listed Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr., Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill, returner Au’Tori Newkirk and true freshman Travis Burgess as options in the quarterback room.
During the open portion of practice Friday, O’Neill, Edwards and Burgess worked in what appears to be the first-team group. O’Neill took the first reps, flanked by Edwards and Burgess.
UNC is desperately searching for improvements in its offense, which ranked 14th in offensive efficiency among 17 ACC teams last season. In the 4-8 year, quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions before transferring to Wake Forest.
Belichick said when evaluating quarterbacks, he prioritizes players who limit blunders. He noted that seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady, whom he coached for numerous years with the New England Patriots, possessed that trait.
“I’ve always said that about Tom Brady,” Belichick said, “the greatest quarterback in NFL history. As great as Tom was, he was great (and) he made a lot of great plays, but the most important thing he did was he eliminated the bad ones.”
Read more Tropical Storm Cristobal has formed in the Atlantic. Could it impact NC?
Last week, Belichick said he would decide on UNC’s starting quarterback once it became “apparent and clear.”
O’Neill, who is 6-foot-5, was a backup with the Aggies for the past two seasons after coming out of high school as a four-star recruit. He was the 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey as a senior at the Hun School of Princeton.
Edwards Jr. threw for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024 at Maryland, but a PCL strain in his left knee sidelined him for most of last year at Wisconsin. Belichick has praised Edwards as one of the best passers in the Big Ten just two years ago.
Burgess had surgery for a torn ACL in August, but arrives at UNC as a four-star recruit. He participated in spring practice on a limited basis, but progressed well through the summer to become a full participant this preseason.
Newkirk redshirted last year at UNC after appearing in just two games, one of which against N.C. State he threw a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Owens. In total, he completed just 3 of the 6 throws he attempted last season.
UNC’s season begins with a Week 0 game against TCU on Aug. 29 in Ireland.
About two weeks out, the Tar Heels have yet to name a starting quarterback publicly.
Read more 15 most-missed Italian restaurants that have closed in the Triangle
This story was originally published August 14, 2026 at 10:10 AM.