Overview
- Billy Edwards Jr. was announced as North Carolina’s starter on Tuesday and is set to take the first snap in the season opener against TCU in Dublin on Aug. 29.
- Edwards arrives after stops at Maryland and Wisconsin, where he threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 before missing most of 2025 with a knee injury.
- UNC coaches say Edwards no longer wore the spring practice brace during fall-camp sessions open to media, a sign of progress in his recovery.
- Pro Football Focus data cited by the program highlight Edwards’ quick time to throw — about 2.47 seconds on dropbacks — a trait the new offense will prioritize.
- The decision comes amid a wide roster shakeup under Bill Belichick and the hire of Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator, with a brutal early schedule that will test how quickly the offense improves.