Billy Edwards becomes favorite to be UNC football starter

4 days ago 2

Just a few days into the college football transfer portal, UNC is already showing signs of attempting to improve the roster with several commitments.

Arguably the Tar Heels' most impactful addition is Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards, who only played in two games this season. Edwards rose to prominence as Maryland's starting quarterback in 2024, throwing for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns, while rushing for 150 yards and five more scores.

While 2024 is Edwards' lone year with extensive starting action, he is North Carolina's most experienced option under center. With 2025 UNC starter Gio Lopez entering the portal on Monday, Edwards now finds himself atop the depth chart in Chapel Hill.

Travis Burgess and Au'Tori Newkirk are other 2026 starting options for the Tar Heels, but they lack the college experience Edwards brings. Burgess is a highly-touted incoming freshman, while Newkirk took one snap for North Carolina last fall.

Unless UNC adds additional competition through the portal, Edwards is the go-to guy on paper. He reached the 300-yard passing mark four times in 2024, something Lopez failed to do once in Chapel Hill. Maryland only won four games during Edwards' time as starting QB, but that's no different from the Tar Heels' disappointing 2025 campaign.

Edwards brings the same dual-threat ability Lopez did, albeit with more Power Four experience. With Trech Kekahuna committing to the Tar Heels on Monday, Edwards gets one of his top pass-catchers from their time in Wisconsin, a recipe for success in Chapel Hill.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Billy Edwards early favorite to be starter at QB

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