Bill Belichick, UNC Reportedly Name Starting QB for CFB Opener vs. TCU in Ireland

Billy Edwards Jr. will start for UNC at quarterback when the Tar Heels open the season on Sat., Aug. 29 against TCU in Ireland, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Edwards, who has previously played for Wisconsin and Maryland, committed to UNC in January.

Edwards, who starred at Lake Braddock High School (Burke, Virginia), initially committed to Wake Forest and redshirted there in 2021. He transferred to Maryland the following year and eventually started in 2024. For the season, Edwards completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 2,881 yards (6.9 yards per attempt), 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for five touchdowns.

After that season, Edwards transferred to Wisconsin and became the Badgers' starting quarterback, but he suffered a left knee injury in the opener. He briefly returned against Maryland on Sept. 20 but was ruled out following the opening drive due to the knee ailment.

Per Thamel, Edwards was granted a medical redshirt, giving him a sixth year of eligibility.

UNC is entering its second season under head coach Bill Belichick, who won eight Super Bowls during his time in the NFL (two as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator, six as the New England Patriots' head coach).

The Tar Heels went 4-8 last season and 2-6 in the ACC. UNC scored 19.3 points per game, second-to-last in the conference and 120th overall in the 136-team Division I-FBS.

Now Edwards is tasked with improving the unit after winning what Thamel termed a "close battle" with Miles O'Neill, who transferred from Texas A&M. Edwards will also be working with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, a longtime college coach with notable stops as the head coach at Louisville and Arkansas.