UNC’s biggest portal wins were the ones it didn’t lose

4 days ago 2

It’s no question that North Carolina has gotten off to a hot start in the transfer portal window that started on Jan. 2 and will end on Jan. 16.

The Tar Heels have had 10 commitments so far, as of Thursday, and that number will continue to increase. The most notable players to commit to UNC are former Wisconsin and Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards and standout Richmond transfer Peyton Seelmann.

However, the two biggest portal victories for Carolina was getting standout edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Jordan Shipp.

Abou-Jaoude made an immediate impact in his first season at North Carolina, logging 10.5 sacks to lead the ACC and earn second-team All-ACC honors from both the league and The Associated Press. His sack total tied for eighth nationally and made him the first UNC player since Kareem Martin in 2013 to reach double digits in a season.

The redshirt junior also led all Tar Heel defensive linemen with 646 snaps. He ranked fourth on the team with 47 total tackles and added 12 tackles for loss.

Shipp had a breakout year, recording 60 catches for 671 yards and six touchdowns. He led UNC wide receivers in each category and earned honorable mention All-ACC. He scored a touchdown in four of UNC’s last five games.

Retaining these two players is huge for UNC moving forward.

Shipp showcased his ability to be a No. 1 wide receiver even though the offense struggled all season. He also emerged as the team’s spokesperson amid the negativity surrounding the program, ultimately becoming a favorite in the locker room and among the loyal Tar Heel fan base.

Abou-Jaoude could have been one of the most sought-after edge rushers in the portal, and he almost certainly would have commanded a big NIL deal.

Instead, he chose to stay in Chapel Hill. That decision allows UNC to save some money, add more players to the roster and avoid having to find a replacement for Abou-Jaoude after losing Tyler Thompson to the portal as well.

North Carolina has until Jan. 16 to add more players from the transfer portal and hopes to find more gems like Shipp and Abou-Jaoude. The latter came to the Tar Heels via the portal from Delaware.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Retention fuels strong start with Abou-Jaoude, Shipp

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