Tar Heel Times

Drake Maye looks set to take a Year-3 leap at Patriots minicamp

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:05:00 -0400

Could Drake Maye be even better in 2026 than he was in his NFL MVP runner-up season? The New England Patriots quarterback now has an elite weapon at his disposal in wide receiver A.J. Brown. In addition, free-agent signing Romeo Doubs should give him a reliable third-down and red-zone target. Maye looks poised to take his game to another level.

Newsletter: OmaHeels Advance, Michael Malone At NBPA Top-100 Camp, Osaruyi Schedules Official Visit

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:18:00 -0400

UNC Baseball is one win away the championship series at the College World Series, Michael Malone was on hand in Omaha between stops on the recruiting trail, 5-star forward Paul Osaruyi is planning an official visit, Tar Heel Football landed 8(!) commitments last week. Plus, 5 new Track & Field All-Americans, and we remember Don Stallings.

Mitch Trubisky calls joining Titans to reunite with Brian Daboll a ‘no-brainer’

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:26:00 -0400

Mitch Trubisky had so much fun working with Brian Daboll in Buffalo that his decision on where to go this offseason in free agency was a "no-brainer." Yes, the quarterback could stay in Buffalo backing up Josh Allen. Or, Trubisky could reunite with Daboll in his role as the Titans’ new offensive coordinator in Tennessee and help mentor quarterback Cam Ward.

Former UNC Running Back Elijah Green Building Mental Health Blueprint for College Athletics

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:28:00 -0400

"Everybody talks about mental health," Elijah Green said. "You see the awareness campaigns. But we’re not giving athletes the tools they need. We’re not making it accessible. We’re not teaching them how to take care of their minds." That gap between conversation and care prompted the former UNC running back to launch The Mind Over Muscle Foundation.

UNC Football icon and philanthropist Don Stallings passes away at 87

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:31:00 -0400

Don Stallings, a former NFL player who turned towards business, has passed away at age 87. Fondly known as “Big D” and “Coal Bucket,” he received a scholarship to UNC for his exceptional skills. He was recruited by legendary football coach Jim Tatum. Stallings was a Tar Heel All-American and played on the offensive and defensive lines in the 1950s.

Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2026: Much More Than A Game

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:20:00 -0400

The University of North Carolina will host or participate in business, cultural, academic, athletic, and arts events in Dublin, Ireland, the week leading up to the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, bringing more than a marquee matchup between UNC Football and TCU on Aug. 29. Executives, faculty, staff, and students from UNC will also visit Ireland.

Video: IC Podcast - UNC's Defensive Line - The Superlatives

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:34:00 -0400

College football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina to discuss UNC's defensive line scouting report while highlighting the group's superlatives: The Alpha, Mr. Consistency, the Breakout, and Players to Watch entering the 2026 Tar Heel Football season under Bill Belichick.

Where UNC ranks in ESPN's College Football Future Power Rankings through 2027

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:21:00 -0400

51. North Carolina Tar Heels: The roster continues to be a bit of a roller coaster under Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi. UNC has made clear gains in recruiting -- the team signed the nation's No. 14 class, including 10 SC Next 300 recruits and several key wide receivers and defensive tackles. But UNC also took some portal hits on defense.

Former UNC LB Tomon Fox Signs With L.A. Rams

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:32:00 -0400

The Los Angeles Rams have signed outside linebacker Tomon Fox. Fox, 28, spent the last four seasons with the New York Giants, recording 45 total tackles (five for loss), four quarterback hits, and two sacks in 37 career games played (two starts). Fox originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing by the Giants out of North Carolina in 2022.

Eric Ebron, Paris Kea, Bill Chambers inducted into Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:37:00 -0400

Smith High School alumnus Eric Ebron earned All-State honors in high school before becoming a two-time All-American at UNC. Paris Kea was twice named to the All-ACC first team and led UNC in scoring as a junior at 19.4 points per game. After playing for Dean E. Smith at UNC, Bill Chambers went on to a coaching career that spanned more than three decades.

Preview: Expectations mount for UNC's fall sports in 2026

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:52:00 -0400

With top goal scorers Ryleigh Heck and Dani Mendez graduating, UNC field hockey will need to fill offensive gaps. Stepping into her fourth year as a Tar Heel, forward Charly Bruder will be a leading performer. After their breakout first years, back Isabel Boere and forward Reese Anetsberger will provide offensive depth. Merritt Skubisz will be a force in goal.

UNC Football Opponent Snapshot: Miami

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:49:00 -0400

After a complex offseason where former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah publicly committed to return to the Blue Devils before entering the transfer portal and signing with the Hurricanes, Mensah will be Miami's 2026 starter. Mario Cristobal also retained star running back Mark Fletcher, who tallied 216 carries for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Newsletter: Diamond Heels to Omaha, Wei Lin Update, ACC-SEC Challenge, Two Football Commits

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:36:00 -0400

UNC Baseball is headed back to Omaha for the College World Series, Michael Malone and Carolina Basketball is pursuing another point guard, ACC-SEC Challenge matchups are set, Tar Heel Football landed two commitments while Baseball landed three, Caleb Wilson met "Big Game James," and Drake Maye is giving back in New England.

Titans LB Cedric Gray Aiming to be a More Complete Player in Year 3

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 06:46:00 -0400

Cedric Gray made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. Now, the Titans linebacker wants to take things to another level. "The biggest thing this offseason is I want to put a complete game together. I feel like I improved from my rookie year to last year and became a pretty good player. Now I want to become a complete player. I want to be an elite player."

South Carolina to pay UNC $1M for canceling football series

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:45:00 -0400

South Carolina will pay North Carolina $1 million for canceling a home-and-home football series between the schools. The Gamecocks and Tar Heels were scheduled to play Sept. 2, 2028 in Columbia, South Carolina and Sept. 1, 2029 in Chapel Hill. South Carolina announced that the schools had mutually agreed to cancel the series on May 22.

Bill Belichick wants to make UNC football better than it’s been, but not thinking national title

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:39:00 -0400

The University of North Carolina football program hasn’t won an Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1980 when a young Lawrence Taylor tormented opposing offenses — and Bill Belichick was a young special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the New York Giants without a single Super Bowl championship on his resume.

ACC Announces 2026 Bowl Season Schedule

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:02:00 -0400

The ACC, ESPN, and Bowl Season announced the 2026 bowl schedule Wednesday. The ACC’s 2026 postseason lineup includes 17 possible bowl destinations, highlighted by 15 which will be featured on ABC and ESPN. The confirmed dates, kickoff times and broadcast information are listed here with the Holiday Bowl to be announced at a later date.

UNC Football Opponent Snapshot: Duke

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:49:00 -0400

Manny Diaz and Duke football lost 17 players to the transfer portal, while adding 19. Of the 19, nearly half are expected to slide into starting roles, including the quarterback. The Blue Devils landed San Jose State transfer Walker Eget, who's likely to take over Diaz's offense. Last season, Eget threw for 3,051 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Carolina's Culture Effect

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:56:00 -0400

As UNC Baseball continues its run to Omaha, Carolina Football under Bill Belichick is less than three months away from the year two opener, while Michael Malone continues to assemble the final pieces of the newest version of Tar Heel Basketball. Greg Barnes looks at how each coach handle the challenges of building and maintaining a winning culture.

Drake Maye's Celebrity Softball Classic delivers joy and major impact for children's hospital

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:23:00 -0400

If you thought the players were having fun at Drake Maye's inaugural Celebrity Softball Classic on Sunday night, there were kids in the sold-out crowd having an even better time – despite a little rain. The New England Patriots quarterback and his wife, Ann Michael Maye, hosted the event as the first activation of their MayeDay Family Foundation.