2026 North Carolina Tar Heels Football Depth Chart

The UNC quarterback room underwent a complete overhaul this offseason. Billy Edwards Jr. arrives as the presumptive QB1 after starting at both Maryland (2,881 yards, 65% completion, 15 TDs in 2024) and Wisconsin, though a non-contact PCL injury cut his Badger season to just 34 snaps. Dynasty managers should be cautiously optimistic: Edwards is a sixth-year veteran inheriting Bobby Petrino’s spread-and-shred system — a dramatic upgrade over the Freddie Kitchens era that produced one of the worst offenses in UNC’s modern history. Miles O’Neill, a redshirt sophomore who followed Petrino from Texas A&M, slots in as QB2 with legitimate upside if Edwards’ knee is a lingering concern. Au’Tori Newkirk, who earned praise and late-game reps last season, rounds out the room as QB3.

At skill positions, Jordan Shipp is the dynasty anchor — UNC’s clear WR1 coming off a season in which he was one of the few bright spots in a broken offense. Mason Humphrey (18.6 YPC, 35 catches at Lehigh) adds a tall outside threat, while Wisconsin transfer Trech Kekahuna brings reliable slot production. Shanard Clower, Nathan Leacock, and four-star freshman CJ Sadler provide depth. At RB, Demon June flashed as a true freshman with explosive runs and should command the majority of early-down work; Benjamin Hall and Jaylin McGill give Petrino a physical rotation. The tight end room is the most interesting dynasty-stash unit: Jordan Washington (7 rec, 109 yds, TD in 6 games at Texas) and Jelani Thurman (Ohio State CFP roster) give Petrino genuine 12-personnel capability — a formation he deployed to great effect at Arkansas.

The overall fantasy outlook for UNC in 2026 hinges on the offensive line improving and Edwards staying healthy. If those boxes are checked, Petrino — who took Arkansas from 97th to 15th in offensive efficiency in two seasons — has the weapons to make Jordan Shipp a legitimate dynasty WR2 and Demon June a breakout RB. The kicker role goes to true freshman David Green, the 4th-ranked FG kicker in the 2026 class out of High Point, NC, who figures to benefit from a Petrino offense that scores more but will also rack up field goal attempts when stalling near the red zone.