Projecting UNC Players Staying, Leaving After 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket Loss

The disappointing year is over for North Carolina.

After posting a 20-12 record in the regular season, the Tar Heels managed to slide into the NCAA tournament as a No. 11 seed in the First Four. Unfortunately for UNC, a loss to Ole Miss in the first round ended its brief March Madness journey.

The offseason, as a result, has formally begun in Chapel Hill, and the roster is destined to undergo some significant changes.

Ahead, we're looking at who's staying, leaving and on the way at UNC.

Who's Staying

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Hubert Davis and Seth Trimble

Despite this subpar year, it's safe to project Hubert Davis will remain on the sideline next season. He signed a contract extension only a few months ago.

Given that, a coaching change in Chapel Hill would be shocking.

The program should be able to retain much of the roster, however. Seth Trimble, Elliot Cadeau and Drake Powell are on NBA radars to varying degrees, but they'd all benefit from another year in college.

Other rotational pieces with remaining eligibility are Ven-Allen Lubin, Jalen Washington and Cade Tyson.

Who's Leaving

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Ian Jackson

North Carolina knows it must replace top scorer RJ Davis—a five-year contributor in Chapel Hill—and Jae'lyn Withers. Both players are out of eligibility.

Freshman guard Ian Jackson is also a candidate to chase a professional career. The most recent mock draft from B/R's Jonathan Wasserman placed Jackson at the 32nd pick. Even being a borderline first-round selection can be alluring, though.

The reality of the transfer portal is ever-present, as well.

As a principle, I aim to avoid identifying a specific player who is a transfer risk. Still, when someone doesn't get many minutes—especially a recent blue-chip recruit—that profile is certainly one to watch closely in regard to the portal.

Who's on the Way

North Carolina has received two official signatures, along with a third verbal pledge to secure the nation's No. 9 class.

Granted, the unsigned commit is the marquee prospect.

During the November window, 4-star guards Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis formally joined the 2025 class. They are rated 46th and 62nd overall, respectively, in this cycle.

In January, the Heels picked up a pledge from 5-star forward Caleb Wilson. Ranked ninth nationally, the McDonald's All-American out of Georgia picked UNC over Kentucky and Ohio State.