With Bobby Petrino joining the Tar Heels, Bill Belichick just added a major recruiting weapon. Petrino’s deep SEC connections instantly make UNC more attractive to SEC-level talent, and that matters after a disappointing 4–8 finish in 2025. Targeting proven SEC players is key if North Carolina wants a quick turnaround. With Belichick’s pull and Petrino’s relationships working together, landing impact transfers just got a lot easier for the Tar Heels.

And it didn’t take long for that to show up. Just minutes before, North Carolina landed LSU running back transfer Kaleb Jackson, turning talk into action and making it clear the Tar Heels aren’t wasting time in the portal.

A former four-star recruit, Kaleb Jackson flashed real promise as a true freshman at LSU. But as the depth chart got crowded, his role shrank fast. By the 2025 season, he saw just seven carries. Overall, he finished his LSU stint with 82 rushes for 331 yards and four touchdowns. However, the numbers don’t tell the full story of his ability.

That’s where UNC comes in. The Tar Heels badly needed running back depth, and Jackson fits that need perfectly. We already saw last season that Bill Belichick and his staff aren’t afraid to rotate backs, riding the hot hand while keeping everyone fresh. UNC also returns Demon June, who led the team with 464 rushing yards as a freshman in 2025.

His breakout moments included 148 yards against Richmond and a career-high 182 scrimmage yards vs. Syracuse. June will form a “one-two punch” with Benjamin Hall, with Jaylin McGill staying firmly in the rotation. June will operate as the workhorse, but plenty of carries will be available, and Jackson will be right in the middle of that mix. A backfield featuring June, Jackson, and Hall gives Bobby Petrino real stability and flexibility.

And Jackson brings something extra: that SEC stamp. Petrino has spent years coaching against elite SEC defenses and knows exactly what it takes to succeed in that league. In Arkansas, his offenses routinely cleared 450 yards per game. Plus, his track record of developing NFL talent, including Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and multiple All-SEC players, speaks for itself.

How is the new roster looking? 

The 2026 transfer window brought massive roster turnover under Bill Belichick. UNC struggled badly on both sides of the ball. The offense ranked 129th nationally, managing just 288.8 yards per game, while the defense didn’t fare much better. The secondary finished 66th, giving up 24.5 points per game. Those issues showed up quickly in the portal, with roughly 30 players heading out. The losses were significant.

On defense, UNC saw defensive lineman D’Antre Robinson (Oregon), linebacker Khmori House (Arkansas), edge rusher Tyler Thompson (Louisville), and defensive back Greg Smith depart. Offensively, starting quarterback Gio Lopez and offensive lineman Trevyon Green also moved on. Still, Belichick and GM Michael Lombardi went to work. They leaned heavily on the transfer portal, targeting players who fit their specific grading system and scheme. In total, the Tar Heels added 18 transfers.

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At quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., formerly of Wisconsin and Maryland, comes in to compete for the starting job. Up front, UNC bolstered the offensive line with Rowan Byrne from Clemson. And on defense, they added depth with Donovan Hoilette and Peyton Seelmann from Richmond, along with Derek McDonald from Syracuse.