The 2025 college football season is finally over, and, well, the transfer portal drama is already in full swing. North Carolina, with Bill Belichick at the helm, is staring down an exodus—15 players have announced they’re transferring out.
That’s a lot. It’s got people wondering what’s really happening inside the program, and whether Belichick is going to stick around much longer.
North Carolina’s Transfer Exodus: A Closer Look
The season just wrapped up, but the transfer portal is already buzzing—even though it doesn’t officially open until January 3, 2026. North Carolina’s been hit especially hard, with 15 players saying they’re out.
It’s tough news for a team that stumbled to a 4-8 record in Belichick’s first year. Honestly, it just doesn’t look good.
The Players Leaving Chapel Hill
Here’s a rundown of who’s leaving, and it’s not just benchwarmers:
- Khalil Conley, CB, Freshman
- Miles McVay, IOL, Sophomore
- Davion Gause, RB, Sophomore
- Javarius Green, WR, Sophomore
- Max Johnson, QB, Senior
- Aziah Johnson, WR, Sophomore
- William Boone, OT, Senior
- Yasir Smith, TE, Freshman
- Jani Norwood, IOL, Freshman
- Ty White, CB, Sophomore
- Khmori House, LB, Sophomore
- Paul Billups, WR, Sophomore
- Jason Robinson, WR, Freshman
- Chris Culliver, WR, Junior
- Jake Johnson, TE, Junior
Losing this many, especially so many receivers, is rough. Green, Johnson, Gause, and Culliver all had over 100 receiving yards this season—so that’s a chunk of the offense just gone.
Implications for North Carolina
Belichick’s first year with the Tar Heels? Not exactly a fairytale. The 4-8 record stings, and now, with this wave of departures, it feels like something’s broken behind the scenes.
Fifteen players gone before the portal even opens? That’s not normal, and it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow.
Comparisons with Other Programs
Just for a little context, let’s check out what’s happening elsewhere:
- Auburn: Fired their head coach, but just one player is transferring.
- Arkansas: Same story—one player leaving after the coaching change.
- Florida: Again, only one player in the portal post-coaching change.
North Carolina’s 15 transfers? That’s a massive outlier. Something’s clearly off in Chapel Hill.
What Does This Mean for Bill Belichick?
Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels is, well, up in the air. There haven’t been any official announcements, but with this much player movement, it sure looks like there’s unrest.
Is Belichick coming back for 2026? Or is UNC already eyeing someone new? Hard to say right now.
The Road Ahead for North Carolina
Next season’s not going to be easy. There’s a lot of rebuilding ahead, and the program needs to figure out how to keep talent from bolting.
If they want to attract new recruits, something’s got to change. They can’t keep bleeding players like this.
Curious about the full list of departures or want more details? Check out the article on Sports Illustrated.
Conclusion
North Carolina’s football program is at a crossroads. The departure of 15 players after a tough season under Bill Belichick’s leadership has folks talking.
It’s clear the Tar Heels have some real issues to sort out, and pretty soon, too. Otherwise, things could get even messier heading into 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates on this story and, honestly, anything else happening in college football. You never really know what’s coming next.
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