When you look at the UNC football program's 2025 roster, it's nearly impossible to find a positional group that looks even similar to the one that we saw a season ago.
Given the defensive struggles over the past few years, that actually might be a good thing (to be honest).
The linebacker position is yet another that needed a total revamping to start the Bill Belichick era in Chapel Hill. Power Echols exhausted his eligibility after a strong career at North Carolina while fellow running mate Amare Campbell elected to transfer to Penn State.
Don't worry, though: the Tar Heels have added some quality reinforcements.
What We Know
Transfers are going to be heavily called upon at this position.
Similar to the new-look defensive line unit, the Tar Heels dipped into the transfer portal to add some quality talent. While Echols and Campbell were very productive during their respective UNC football careers, Tar Heel fans should be excited to see what this new crop of talent can accomplish in the Belichick School of Defense.
Key Players
Khmori House
House is coming off a stellar freshman season at the University of Washington. Playing in Steve Belichick's defensive unit at Washington, House earned Freshman All-America honors from College Football Network. He played in all 12 regular-season games for the Huskies, recording 35 tackles (19 solo), 1.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception, and four pass breakups.
While Belichick's arrival as the Tar Heels' new defensive coordinator is significant, House's decision to follow his coach to Chapel Hill has the potential to be a massive boost to the UNC football program's defensive unit for years to come.
Andrew Simpson
After spending four years at Boise State, Simpson elected to play out his redshirt senior season elsewhere, ultimately committing to the University of North Carolina.
The Tar Heels are certainly glad to have him on board.
A Dick Butkus Award Preseason Watch List selection, Simpson is coming off a season in which he recorded 45 tackles (29 solo), three sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception in 12 games played. North Carolina is hopeful that he can continue being a disruptive force that gives opposing offenses plenty to worry about.
Mikai Gbayor
Mikai Gbayor was supposed to be a Missouri Tiger.
In fact, Gbayor spent the spring semester at the University of Missouri after transferring from the University of Nebraska.
However, Gbayor decided to pursue other opportunities, eventually leading him to Chapel Hill for his final season of college football.
Gbayor appeared in 12 games a season ago (11 starts), setting new career highs with 49 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and a sack. North Carolina is hopeful that he can
Outlook
Projected Depth Chart
Starters
WLB: Khmori House
MLB: Andrew Simpson
Reserves
WLB: Tyler Thompson
MLB: Mikai Gbayor
Others of Note: Austin Alexander, Daniel Anderson, Evan Bennett