Special teams is important.
We're sure you already knew that, but hey, it doesn't hurt to reiterate that statement!
The UNC football program has been impacted by the transfer portal at multiple positions, especially in regard to their special teams unit. While the transfer portal has taken talent away from North Carolina, it also has brought new faces to Chapel Hill, as a pair of talented transfer kickers pledged their commitment to the UNC football program.
Former Eastern Illinois punter Jacob Horvath was the first to commit to the UNC football program.
Eastern Illinois punter Jacob Horvath has signed with North Carolina, @On3sports has learned.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 17, 2025
Averaged 44.1 yards per punt with a long of 76 in 2024. https://t.co/wMrfFrcNOy pic.twitter.com/dF5tX4QrXT
A 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Australia, Horvath is coming off a season in which he averaged 44.3 yards per punt on 54 attempts, a dozen of which resulted in their opponents being pinned inside their own 20-yard line. He also has impressive leg strength, booting 15 punts over 50+ yards, including an insane long of 76 yards. Horvath will have two years of eligibility remaining.
The next addition came in the form of a true place kicker: Rece Verhoff.
I am excited to announce that I will be committing to the University of North Carolina! I want to thank @CoachPriefer for this opportunity! Thrilled to get to work! @UNCFootball @KornblueKicking pic.twitter.com/yzDdWElxu4
— Rece Verhoff ✟ (@RVerhoff) April 17, 2025
After handling kicking duties in each of his three seasons at Marshall, Verhoff looks to hold that same responsibility for the Tar Heels in what will be his final college season. Over his career at Marshall, Verhoff connected on 38 of his 57 attempts (66.6% average), as he's coming off his best overall season (one in which he connected on 14 of 19 attempts, including 8 of 11 from 40+ yards out).
Punting has been an issue for the UNC football program over the past few seasons. While Tom Maginness is expected to still be in the mix, it helps tremendously to bring in Horvath to battle for the job.
As for the Tar Heels placekicking situation... well, it's still a work in progress. After Noah Burnette, the UNC football program's placekicker a season ago, transferred to Notre Dame, the Tar Heels were left with three scholarship kickers on their roster.
Over the last few days, all three have made their way into the transfer portal.
These moves shouldn't be a surprise, as the Tar Heels have major needs at both positions. The hope is that these two newcomers can erase that need, helping the UNC football program take advantage of field position when forced to punt while capitalizing on field goal attempts to put more points on the board.