April 20, 2025 — UNC football head coach Bill Belichick may have found his starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
After months of speculation regarding who would be under center in Belichick’s first game as head coach, it appears the Tar Heels have found their answer. On Thursday night, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that former South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez has committed to North Carolina, solidifying himself as a potential favorite for the starting role.
Questions about the health of senior quarterback Max Johnson and reports of the Tar Heels exploring transfer options had kept fans and analysts guessing about the quarterback situation. With Lopez’s commitment, however, it now seems that the search is over.
Lopez, a 6-foot, 220-pound Alabama native, made his mark at South Alabama last season as the full-time starter. As a redshirt freshman, he completed 66.0% of his pass attempts for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. Lopez also proved to be a dual-threat quarterback, adding 465 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 2024.
The talented signal-caller entered the transfer portal on Monday, and the Tar Heels quickly made their move. After some competition, UNC emerged as the frontrunner to land the three-star prospect, and Lopez’s commitment was finalized just days after his entry into the portal.
Lopez brings with him three years of eligibility and will look to make an immediate impact in Chapel Hill. His arrival strengthens an already promising UNC offense under Belichick, who is looking to make his mark in the collegiate ranks after a legendary NFL coaching career.
The Tar Heels will now turn their focus to the upcoming season, with Lopez expected to compete for the starting role. As the team prepares for fall camp, the quarterback battle in Chapel Hill is sure to be one of the most anticipated storylines of the offseason.
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