Billy Edwards Jr. is officially the starting quarterback for UNC football, set to lead the charge against TCU in Ireland. ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news, confirming the Wisconsin transfer is the guy Bill Belichick and the coaching staff are trusting to turn this program around. This isn’t some last-minute decision either; Edwards has been the frontrunner since he stepped onto campus, a massive vote of confidence for a team desperately needing a new spark.
Edwards wasn’t just handed the job, he earned it, beating out Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill, freshman Travis Burgess, and returner Au’Tori Newkirk in a tough QB competition. It is a big moment for him, especially after missing most of his lone season with the Badgers in 2025 due to a knee injury. He even rocked a brace during spring practice with the Tar Heels. But here’s the kicker, folks: that brace? It’s been GONE for fall camp practices open to media members. That’s huge for a guy you need at 100% to run Bobby Petrino’s offense, and it means he’s ready to roll with the other 60 new players Belichick brought in for his second season.
What makes Edwards the guy? His 2024 season with the Maryland Terrapins gives you a pretty clear picture. In 11 games as a starter, he was second in the Big Ten with an insane average of 261.9 passing yards per game. Think about that: second in a monster conference! He wrapped up that season with 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, against only nine interceptions. Pro Football Focus data backs up the eye test, too: he averaged a blistering 2.47 seconds to throw on dropbacks, hitting 2.34 seconds in 2024, and notched 18 “big-time throws.” That quick decision making and his ability to get the ball out to playmakers fast are exactly what offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino needs to fix what was, frankly, one of the worst offenses in the nation last year.
Let’s be real, last season was rough. A brutal 4-8 record, and the offense? Seriously, it was one of the worst offenses in the entire nation. The primary starter, Gio Lopez, transferred to Wake Forest after that miserable 2025 season, and he was named the starter just five days before the first game. Edwards being named the starter 11 days before the opening game against TCU in Ireland signals a clear, confident direction from Belichick. This isn’t just a game; it’s the opening game of the 2026 college football season, a chance for UNC to make a statement, and for Billy Edwards Jr. to prove he’s the real deal from the jump.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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