Keeping It Heel
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Two familiar names crack On3's 2025 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team

One former and one incoming Tar Heel have earned spots on this year's squad.
ByNick Delahanty|
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos linebacker Andrew Simpson (10) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos linebacker Andrew Simpson (10) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The transfer portal has developed into the new "norm" in college athletics, as thousands of student-athletes across various sports are set to represent different universities this upcoming academic year.

Ahead of the 2025 college football season, On3 revealed its Preseason All-Transfer Portal team. Two players with connections to the UNC football program earned spots on the list, one incoming transfer along with another who recently left the program.

Andrew Simpson was one of the biggest additions for the UNC football program this offseason. The Boise State transfer earned a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List ahead of his final season of college eligibility.

The Wilder Ave, California native appeared in 40 games at Boise State, recording 140 total tackles (94 solo), 12.5 sacks, eight passes defensed, five forced fumbles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt. North Carolina is hopeful that he can be a key piece to the program's new-look line backing core this season.

One of the guys that Simpson is looking to help replace is Amare Campbell, a rising star who left North Carolina to head to Penn State. As a sophomore, Campbell recorded 76 tackles, 22 quarterback pressures and 6.5 sacks, proving to be a dominant force on the Tar Heels' defensive unit.

You could make a very strong case that Beau Atkinson (former Tar Heel who now suits up for the Ohio State Buckeyes) has a case to make this list. For incoming Tar Heels, both Khmori House and Thaddeus Dixon could make a case as well,

For the UNC football program, the new-look roster, under the direction of new head coach Bill Belichick, is constructed with a ton of incoming transfers. North Carolina hopes that the mix of talent that has been brought to Chapel Hill can help the Tar Heels compete right away, starting the Belichick era on the right foot.

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