In need of offensive line depth, the UNC football program has been active in the transfer portal market for this positional group.
While the reasons why student-athletes enter the transfer portal to begin with vary, potential landing spots, in some cases, are more intriguing if a certain coach (or coaches) are heading to that specific university.
In this instance, Shaq McRoy knew he wanted to follow Bobby Petrino to Chapel Hill.
Shaq McRoy commits to North Carolina
On Friday, Shaq McRoy made it official, committing to Bill Belichick, Bobby Petrino and the UNC football program. He will have three seasons of eligibility to work with.
BREAKING: Arkansas transfer OT Shaq McRoy has committed to North Carolina, @PeteNakos reports🐏https://t.co/U5Ie6JUUvW pic.twitter.com/k7CRS1d6z1
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 9, 2026
More on Shaq McRoy
A 6-foot-8, 344-pound redshirt-sophomore from Bessemer, Alabama, McRoy began his college career at Oregon. After redshirting, he transferred to Arkansas, where he played in six games (making one start) this past season. Mostly at right tackle, McRoy totaled 58 offensive snaps.
Why did McRoy want to follow Petrino?
It's not often that offensive lineman get in on the action of scoring touchdowns, but McRoy had that opportunity this past season at Arkansas.
OL Shaq McRoy is the first @RazorbackFB offensive lineman to rush for a touchdown since OL Shawn Andrews did so at Mississippi State in 2003. pic.twitter.com/2wWjyqAla6
— Razorback Communications (@RazorbackComms) September 27, 2025
While also noting the NFL level coaching and the pro-style offense that the UNC football program runs, McRoy had to make note of this touchdown play, providing this amazing quote to Inside Carolina while discussing his decision further:
"He gave me a touchdown. So what offensive lineman won’t want to play for an offensive coordinator who’s handing you the ball.”
A complete offensive line rebuild
The UNC football program will have a whole-new looking offensive line this season, as eight players from last year's depth chart are no longer on campus. While some returners remain intact, there's plenty of room for players to earn snaps across all five offensive line positions, as the Tar Heels have now secured three transfer portal commitments who all hope to provide immediate impact to help pave the way for North Carolina's offense this upcoming season.