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UNC football coach Bill Belichick confirmed Friday that Billy Edwards Jr. would be the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback to start the season.
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ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported Tuesday that the Wisconsin transfer would be the Tar Heels’ leading signal-caller after a “close battle” with Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill.
Belichick said Edwards won the job because of his consistency and experience, which became evident between spring and preseason practices.
“It’s not based on one play or one series or one touchdown or one interception or anything,” Belichick said about the decision. “It’s kind of a whole composite of it.”
Belichick declined to commit to a backup quarterback nor say if they would have a package for them, but echoed his confidence in the room.
Belichick told reporters at ACC Kickoff back in mid-July that the quarterback battle would be between Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill, returner Au’Tori Newkirk, true freshman Travis Burgess and Edwards. Eventually, the battle seemed to narrow to Edwards and O’Neill before Edwards won the job.
“Quarterback situation was very competitive,” Belichick said. “Feel like we got several good players there. I have a lot of confidence in all of them.”
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Edwards did not play in his first year at Wake Forest and transferred to Maryland for his second season. He was primarily a backup to Taulia Tagovailoa until emerging as the starter when Tagovailoa opted out of the Music City Bowl.
Edwards led the Terrapins to a win over Auburn, being named the game’s MVP before starting 11 games the following season.
In 2024, Edwards ranked second in the Big Ten with 261.9 passing yards as the Terrapins went 4-8.
He transferred to Wisconsin in 2025, but a PCL strain sidelined him for all but two games before coming to UNC.
Running back Jaylen McGill said Edwards’ experience is evident in practice, and he throws a “catchable ball.” He also said there is no drop-off between quarterbacks in the room.
“They’re all capable of being the quarterback,” McGill said.
In Edwards’ final college season, the Tar Heels will open their season in Dublin, Ireland, to face TCU on Aug. 29.
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This story was originally published August 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM.