North Carolina football loses their top 10 — yes 10 — sack leaders from last season.
In fact, the UNC football program had 12 players who recorded at least a 0.5 sack last season, and UNC currently returns just one of those players. Rising junior and stud defensive back Kaleb Cost is North Carolina’s leading returning sack leader, with just a 0.5 sack a season ago.
What does all this mean? North Carolina football needs some serious help in the defensive trenches, and Head Coach Bill Belichick needs to land some game-breakers who can get to the opposing quarterback.
Arizona defensive line transfer Isaiah Johnson could be Coach Belichick’s first pass-rusher addition from the portal. Johnson is set to take visits to Chapel Hill as well as Tennessee, as reported by Matt Zenitz, National College Football reporter for CBS Sports and 247 Sports.
Arizona defensive line transfer Isaiah Johnson is set to visit North Carolina and Tennessee, his agency @QCSports tells @chris_hummer and mehttps://t.co/10Sz3YwNKg pic.twitter.com/zPjZGFFaOv
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 23, 2025
Johnson is a rising junior with a strong, sturdy 6-foot-1, 311-pound frame — which is sure to add some much-needed beef to the UNC defensive line. Last season, Johnson recorded eight total tackles and two sacks for the Wildcats. While those stats might not jump off the page, Johnson was efficient, playing in just five games.
With guys like Kaimon Rucker, Jahvaree Ritzie, Power Echols, Desmond Evans, and Kevin Hester Jr. aging out, along with Beau Atkinson and Amare Campbell hitting the portal, UNC desperately needs to add some muscle. There is a clear need for Johnson on North Carolina’s roster. And while it isn’t a done deal, getting the defensive lineman on a visit to beautiful Chapel Hill is a big step in the right direction.