For maybe 10-15 seconds, plenty of UNC fans were ready to hit the panic button when news dropped that Seth Trimble was entering the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag. Excuse us?! After taking one or two deep breaths, though, it was clear this was just a procedural move.
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Yup, Trimble is still planning to play pro ball next season, but if the NCAA approves a new rule that gives players five years of eligibility, Trimble, now in the portal, would be 'grandfathered' in and get an extra year. He told 247Sports' North Carolina site that if he does return to play college ball, he's all-on on playing for the Heels, no questions asked.
So, what about Cade Tyson? The former UNC wing left Chapel Hill after only one season, but news broke that he's also making his way to the transfer portal despite not having any eligibility left. Here's why we think this could be a touch different to Trimble's situation.
NEW: Minnesota forward Cade Tyson has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos reports.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) April 20, 2026
Averaged 19.6 ppg this season. Tyson currently has no eligibility remaining. https://t.co/DPpwUaobig pic.twitter.com/WIDC7quiAw
Former UNC wing Cade Tyson is back in the transfer portal for the third time
Tyson, who spent the first two years of his career at Belmont, didn't live up to the hype in his lone season with UNC - he averaged 2.6 points in less than eight minutes per game. However, he was a total stud for Minnesota, averaging nearly 20 points a night.
He became a sharpshooter and a total difference-maker in the Big Ten. So, hypothetically speaking, let's say he does get an extra season of eligibility. Is he going to want to stay loyal to Minnesota after just one season with the Gophers, or could he chase a bigger payday elsewhere?
This is of course something UNC fans don't have to worry about with Trimble. Again, he wasted no time in letting people know that if he does return to the college game in 2026-27, he's locked in with playing for North Carolina. No, he's not going to jump ship to play for a different team. Duke or NC State? Forget about it.
However, Tyson indeed could keep his options open and programs who missed big on their top targets could be desperate enough to throw him a bag to come in and compete. That's all speculation and things could be meaningless if players don't get an extra season, but Tyson getting targeted by other schools down the road can't be ruled out just yet.
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