2025 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

2025 North Carolina Tar Heels football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorFreddie Kitchens (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorStephen Belichick (1st season)
Home stadiumKenan Stadium
2025 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Boston College   0 – 0     0 – 0  
California   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 4 Clemson   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Duke   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Florida State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Georgia Tech   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Louisville   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 10 Miami (FL)   0 – 0     0 – 0  
  0 – 0     0 – 0  
NC State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Pittsburgh   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 16 SMU   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Stanford   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Syracuse   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Virginia   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Virginia Tech   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Wake Forest   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 6, 2025
As of August 21, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 North Carolina Tar Heels football team will represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tar Heels will be led by first-year head coach Bill Belichick. The team will play their home games at Kenan Stadium.

Following the firing of head coach Mack Brown after six seasons in charge,[1] assistant Freddie Kitchens was elevated to interim head coach.[2]

On December 11, 2024, Bill Belichick, former head coach of the NFL's New England Patriots, was hired as the 35th head coach in North Carolina program history.[3]

Offseason

Coaching changes

After the conclusion of the 2024 season, the following changes were made to the Tar Heel football staff for the 2025 season.

Name Position Reason Replacement
Mack Brown Head coach Dismissed Bill Belichick
Chip Lindsey Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Hired by Michigan Freddie Kitchens
Matt Lombardi[1]
Randy Clements Offensive line coach Hired by TCU Will Friend
Lonnie Galloway Assistant head coach/Pass Game coordinator/Wide receivers coach Hired by Clemson Garrick McGee[2]
Larry Porter Special Teams coordinator/Running backs coach Hired by West Virginia Mike Priefer
Natrone Means
Geoff Collins Defensive coordinator Dismissed Stephen Belichick
Charlton Warren Assistant head coach/Defensive backs coach Hired by NC State Brian Belichick
Tommy Thigpen Co-defensive coordinator/Inside Linebackers coach Dismissed Jamie Collins[3]
Ted Monachino Defensive line coach Hired by Maryland Bob Diaco
Jason Jones Cornerbacks coach Hired by Alabama Armond Hawkins
Clyde Christensen Offensive Analyst Hired by Appalachian State N/A

^ Matt Lombardi will receive title of Quarterbacks coach, Kitchens' title will be solely Offensive Coordinator.
^ McGee's title will be solely Wide receivers coach.
^ Collins's title will be solely Inside Linebackers coach.

Departures

NFL Draft

Main article: 2025 NFL draft

Transfers

Source: [4][5]

Name No. Pos. Height Weight Hometown Year New school
Eli Sutton 73 OT 6'7.5" 285 Brentwood, TN Redshirt Junior Austin Peay
Jordan Louie 34 RB 6'0" 205 Lawrenceville, GA Redshirt Freshman Coffeyville CC
Conner Harrell 15 QB 6'1" 191 Alabaster, AL Redshirt Sophomore Charlotte
Andrew Rosinski 65 OT 6'6" 265 Ball Ground, GA Freshman Georgia Tech
Zach Greenberg 63 IOL 6'4" 290 Livingston, NJ Graduate James Madison
Travis Shaw 4 DL 6'5.5" 355 Greensboro, NC Junior Texas
Howard Sampson 79 OT 6'8" 330 Humble, TX Redshirt Sophomore Texas Tech
Noah Burnette 98 K 5'10" 175 Raleigh, NC Graduate Notre Dame
Jakiah Leftwich 75 OT 6'6" 302 Atlanta, GA Redshirt Junior UCF
Garrett Jordan 43 LS 6'0" 225 Waxhaw, NC Junior «»
Malik McGowan 64 IOL 6'3" 330 Charlotte, NC Senior UNLV
Tyrane Stewart 9 CB 6'0" 180 Osyka, MS Junior «»
Michael Merdinger 17 QB 6'1.5" 195 Deerfield Beach, FL Freshman Liberty
Ashton Woods 25 LB 6'3" 205 Marietta, GA Freshman West Virginia
Caleb LaVallee 34 LB 6'1" 205 Mableton, GA Redshirt Freshman Florida State
DeAndre Boykins 16 CB 5'11" 210 Concord, NC Senior Oklahoma State
Jacolby Criswell 12 QB 6'0" 220 Morrilton, AR Graduate East Tennessee State
Zion Ferguson 8 CB 6'0" 165 Gainesville, GA Freshman Pittsburgh
Beau Atkinson 12 EDGE 6'6" 240 Raleigh, NC Redshirt Junior Ohio State
Cade Law 55 LB 6'1" 225 Kingston Springs, TN Redshirt Sophomore Memphis
Malaki Hamrick 24 LB 6'4" 205 Shelby, NC Redshirt Sophomore «»
Crews Law 44 LB 6'1" 217 Nashville, TN Freshman Memphis
Zach Rice 55 OT 6'5" 290 Lynchburg, VA Redshirt Sophomore Syracuse
Lucas Osada 97 K 6'1" 190 Woodberry Forest, VA Freshman Illinois
Gavin Blackwell 2 WR 6'0" 185 Monroe, NC Redshirt Junior Florida State
Jaffer Murphy - K 6'1" 183 Marion, IA Senior «»
Christian Hamilton 7 WR 5'11" 167 Harrisburg, NC Redshirt Freshman West Virginia
DJ Mazzone 13 QB 6'1" 180 Bradenton, FL Freshman «»
Joel Starlings 94 DL 6'5" 310 Richmond, VA Redshirt Freshman Maryland
Julien Randolph 80 TE 6'5" 210 Ashburn, VA Redshirt Freshman Austin Peay
Adam Samaha - K 6'0" 170 Ann Arbor, MI Junior «»
Desmond Jackson 74 IOL 6'4" 285 Clemmons, NC Freshman Coastal Carolina
Blaine McClure 36 DB 6'1" 185 Greenwich, CT Freshman «»
Cyrus Rogers 84 WR 5'11" 185 Raleigh, NC Junior «»
Liam Boyd 37 K 6'1" 200 Asheville, NC Sophomore Charlotte
CJ Murphy 47 LB 6'2" 240 Bryn Mawr, PA Sophomore «»
Grady Sherrill 85 WR 5'9" 180 Greensboro, NC Sophomore «»
Hudson Wilharm 19 QB 6'5" 195 Wilmington, NC Freshman «»
Andres Miyares Jr. 18 QB 6'1" 210 Miami, FL Freshman «»
Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala - DL 6'2" 305 Rabun Gap, GA Freshman Vanderbilt
Hayes Galloway 77 IOL 6'4" 305 Concord, NC Freshman «»
Miles Gaddy - S 6'1" 175 Fuquay-Varina, NC Sophomore «»
Amare Campbell 17 LB 5'11" 225 Manassas, VA Junior Penn State
Michael Short 30 LB 6'3" 218 Charlotte, NC Sophomore Wake Forest
Michael Hall 27 WR 6'0.5" 180 Eden, NC Sophomore «»
Grant Mills 61 LS 5'11" 210 Mooresville, NC Freshman «»
Evan Haynes - WR 6'3" 185 Roswell, GA Freshman «»
Jariel Cobb - RB 5'10" 185 Reidsville, NC Freshman Charlotte
Curtis Simpson 33 EDGE 6'3.5" 200 Kings Mountain, NC Freshman Charlotte
Ryan Ward 16 TE 6'4" 230 Rutherford, NJ Freshman «»
Rodney Lora 92 DL 6'3" 295 Woodberry Forest, VA Redshirt Freshman «»

«» Indicates player has not yet enrolled at a new school.

Additions

Incoming transfers

Source:[4][5]

Name No. Pos. Height Weight Hometown Year Previous school
Christo Kelly - IOL 6'4" 305 Wilmette, IL Redshirt Senior Holy Cross
Melkart Abou Jaoude - DL 6'5" 260 Newton, NJ Junior Delaware
Connor Cox - TE 6'5 225 Jacksonville, FL Sophomore South Carolina
Adam Samaha - K 6'0" 170 Ann Arbor, MI Sophomore Michigan
C.J. Mims - DL 6'3" 288 Vanceboro, NC Redshirt Sophomore East Carolina
Miles McVay - IOL 6'6" 373 East Saint Louis, IL Redshirt Freshman Alabama
Chad Lindberg - IOL 6'6" 325 League City, TX Senior Rice
Aziah Johnson - WR 6'2" 175 Richmond, VA Redshirt Freshman Michigan State
Khmori House - LB 6'2" 210 Bellflower, CA Freshman Washington
William Boone - OT 6'6" 340 Conyers, GA Junior Prairie View A&M
Gavin Gibson - CB 5'11" 175 Mooresville, NC Junior East Carolina
Pryce Yates - EDGE 6'3" 240 San Antonio, TX Redshirt Junior UConn
Coleman Bryson - S 6'2" 190 Rabun Gap, GA Junior Minnesota
Jason Robinson - WR 5'10" 145 San Juan Capistrano, CA Freshman Washington
Peyton Waters - S 6'2" 170 Los Angeles, CA Freshman Washington
Thaddeus Dixon - CB 6'0" 205 Paramount, CA Senior Washington
Daniel King - OT 6'5" 270 Cairo, GA Redshirt Senior Troy
Jaffer Murphy - K 6'1" 183 Marion, IA Junior Lake Erie
Smith Vilbert - EDGE 6'6" 282 Montvale, NJ Redshirt Senior Penn State
Mikai Gbayor - LB 6'2" 230 Irvington, NJ Redshirt Senior Missouri
Adrian Wilson - WR 6'1" 170 Pflugerville, TX Freshman Colorado
Jacob Horvath - P 6'1" 190 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Sophomore Eastern Illinois
Rece Verhoff - K 5'11" 189 Columbus Grove, OH Junior Marshall
Gio Lopez - QB 5'11.5" 233 Madison, AL Redshirt Sophomore South Alabama
Benjamin Hall - RB 5'11" 224 Kennesaw, GA Sophomore Michigan
Dayton Sneed - WR 6'0" 196 Hermitage, TN Redshirt Freshman Tennessee
Jordan Hall - OT 6'8" 336 Columbus, OH Redshirt Freshman UAB
Joseph Mupoyi - EDGE 6'5" 261 Oakdale, CT Redshirt Freshman Penn State
D'antre Robinson - DL 6'3.5" 315 Orlando, FL Freshman Florida
Isaiah Johnson - DL 6'2" 275 Chandler, AZ Redshirt Sophomore Arizona
Gannon Burt - LS 6'1" 205 Fort Mill, SC Redshirt Freshman Florida
Will O'Steen - OT 6'3" 230 Anniston, AL Redshirt Junior Jacksonville State
Jakai Moore - IOL 6'6" 318 Nokesville, VA Redshirt Senior South Carolina
Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins - S 5'10.5" 185 Tustin, CA Freshman UCLA

Recruiting class

Source:[6]

Main article: 2025 college football recruiting class
College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: #    247Sports: #    ESPN: #
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rivals commits". Rivals. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  • "ESPN commits". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  • "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  • "247Sports commits". 247Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

Personnel

Coaching staff

North Carolina Tar Heels coaches
Bill Belichick Head coach 1st
Freddie Kitchens Offensive coordinator 3rd
Will Friend Offensive line coach 1st
Matt Lombardi Quarterbacks coach 1st
Garrick McGee Wide receivers coach 1st
Natrone Means Running backs coach 5th
Caleb Pickrell Offensive assistant 4th
Stephen Belichick Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach 1st
Bob Diaco Defensive line coach 1st
Brian Belichick Defensive backs/safeties coach 1st
Armond Hawkins Cornerbacks coach 1st
Jamie Collins Inside linebackers coach 1st
Ty Nichols Outside linebackers coach 1st
Mike Priefer Special teams coordinator 1st
Billy Miller Special teams assistant 1st
Brian Hess Head strength and conditioning coach 7th
Brian Simmons Senior advisor to head coach 2nd
Reference:[7]

Roster

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResult
September 18:00 p.m.TCU*
ESPN
September 67:00 p.m.at Charlotte*
ESPN+
September 133:30 p.m.Richmond*
  • Kenan Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCN
September 20at UCF*
October 4Clemson
  • Kenan Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
October 1710:30 p.m.at California
ESPN
October 25Virginia
October 317:30 p.m.at Syracuse
ESPN
November 8Stanford
  • Kenan Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
November 15at Wake Forest
November 22Duke
November 29at NC State

Game summaries

vs TCU

See also: 2025 TCU Horned Frogs football team
Pregame line Over/under
TCU Horned Frogs (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Horned Frogs 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics TCU UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
TCU Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Charlotte

See also: 2025 Charlotte 49ers football team
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at Charlotte 49ers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
49ers 0

at Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC CLT
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Charlotte Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Richmond (FCS)

See also: 2025 Richmond Spiders football team
Pregame line Over/under
Richmond Spiders (FCS) (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Spiders (FCS) 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ACCN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics RICH UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Richmond Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at UCF

See also: 2025 UCF Knights football team
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
Knights 0

at Acrisure Bounce House • Orlando, Florida

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC UCF
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Clemson

See also: 2025 Clemson Tigers football team
Pregame line Over/under
Clemson Tigers (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tigers 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics CLEM UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Clemson Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at California

See also: 2025 California Golden Bears football team
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at California Golden Bears (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
Golden Bears 0

at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 10:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC CAL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
California Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Virginia (South's Oldest Rivalry)

See also: 2025 Virginia Cavaliers football team and South's Oldest Rivalry
Pregame line Over/under
Virginia Cavaliers (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cavaliers 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UVA UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Syracuse

See also: 2025 Syracuse Orange football team
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at Syracuse Orange (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
Orange 0

at JMA Wireless Dome • Syracuse, New York

  • Date: October 31
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC SYR
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Syracuse Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Stanford

See also: 2025 Stanford Cardinal football team
Pregame line Over/under
Stanford Cardinal (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cardinal 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics STAN UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Stanford Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Wake Forest (rivalry)

See also: 2025 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team, North Carolina–Wake Forest football rivalry, and Tobacco Road (rivalry) § Football
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
Demon Deacons 0

at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium • Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC WAKE
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Wake Forest Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Duke (Victory Bell)

See also: 2025 Duke Blue Devils football team, Victory Bell (Duke–North Carolina), and Tobacco Road (rivalry) § Football
Pregame line Over/under
Duke Blue Devils (0–0) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Blue Devils 0
Tar Heels 0

at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics DUKE UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Duke Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at NC State (rivalry)

See also: 2025 NC State Wolfpack football team, North Carolina–NC State football rivalry, and Tobacco Road (rivalry) § Football
Pregame line Over/under
North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) at NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Tar Heels 0
Wolfpack 0

at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNC NCST
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Carolina Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NC State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ Myerberg, Paul (November 26, 2024). "Mack Brown out as North Carolina football coach during sixth season of second tenure at school". USA Today. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Adelson, Andrea (December 1, 2024). "Freddie Kitchens named interim head coach at North Carolina". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  3. ^ Geagan, Matt (December 11, 2024). "Bill Belichick reaches deal to coach the North Carolina Tar Heels". CBS News. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "North Carolina 2025 Football Transfer Portal". 247 Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "North Carolina Football Transfer Portal". on3.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  6. ^ "North Carolina 2025 Football Commits". 247 Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  7. ^ "Football Coaches". University of North Carolina Athletics.
  8. ^ "2025 North Carolina Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
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