Now under two weeks away from the start of the 2026 college football season, the big question in Chapel Hill is still who will be the team's starting quarterback when they head to Ireland to take on TCU.
Bill Belichick and his staff continue to claim it's currently a competition between four quarterbacks, but at this point in time, it seems like two really have emerged as finalists to land the job.
Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. has been crowned by most media members to be the Tar Heels QB1. With the most experience in the group, Edwards Jr. likely makes the most sense if he's fully healthy from the injury he suffered that ended his 2025 season abruptly.
While some feel Edwards is essentially a lock for the gig, another signal-caller has emerged as a legitimate candidate, one that some very noteworthy UNC-based media members believe could very well win the job.
Is Miles O'Neill emerging as QB1 for UNC?
Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill has impressed early on, enough to put him in strong consideration to be the UNC football program's starting quarterback. The former New Jersey Prep A Offensive Player of the Year followed Bobby Petrino from Texas A&M to North Carolina, as you typically wouldn't bring a player along with you if you didn't see something special in that individual.
Andrew Jones of Tar Heel 247 has added to the O'Neill hype train, making it seem like there's a very good chance that he could end up being the guy for UNC this season/
"O'Neill stands out in camp because he 100% looks like a Power Four quarterback," Jones said. "It's his height, build, his arm strength, release, and how he moves."
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One aspect that might dictate this competition is experience, something that Edwards has that essentially all the other quarterbacks who are vying for the job don't. O'Neill might not have the experience, and has some questions surrounding him given that notion, but it doesn't take away from the fact that North Carolina believes he can be a very good quarterback in the ACC for years to come.
"In gauging what Bill and Bobby have said, and speaking with sources, he has all the trimming to be a highly effective ACC quarterback," Jones added. "But he lacks experience, must improve accuracy, and nobody knows if he can lead a team yet."
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This competition is one of the most intriguing ones we have currently in Chapel Hill, and without a doubt is the most important one to situate before the 2026 season gets underway. While UNC would love for one of these guys to win the job outright and securely take hold of the job for the entire season (and potentially beyond), it's not outlandish to think that we could see multiple guys get a crack at the gig.
Whoever wins the job to start the season will need to maintain it, having the mindset that the guys behind him on the depth chart are chomping at the bit for their opportunity to show they can be the guy to lead UNC's offensive attack.
If O'Neill has been as impressive as those around the program say he has been, don't be surprised if he's taking the first snaps in Ireland on August 29. Experience or not, UNC will go with the guy they feel gives them the best chance to put points on the board, and O'Neill, who is very familiar with Petrino's system, could end up having the upper edge in this competition because of that.
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