Unexpected Transfer Destinations Revealed by Two Former UNC Quarterbacks—You Won’t Believe Where They’re Heading!

The offseason is already buzzing over at UNC football, where the quarterback room has seen more twists and turns than a rollercoaster ride at full tilt. Heading into 2026, the Tar Heels faced a pivotal moment after starter Gio Lopez made his exit through the transfer portal, shining a spotlight on the urgent need for fresh arms to lead the charge. Enter Billy Edwards from Wisconsin, a transfer expected to take the reins from Day One, alongside Texas A&M’s Miles O’Neill, adding intrigue and depth to the position. Meanwhile, the spotlight also dims on former Tar Heels Bryce Baker and Max Johnson, who both found new opportunities elsewhere, underscoring the constant churn and high stakes of college football careers. And let’s not forget Travis Burgess, the 2026 promising recruit, all set to shake up the quarterback battle this fall. The question hanging thick in the air — who will ultimately claim the starting nod at UNC next season? This quarterback saga is just heating up, and believe me, it’s one you’ll want to keep an eye on. LEARN MORE

The UNC football team entered its 2026 offseason with three quarterbacks on its 2025 roster, including starter Gio Lopez.

When Lopez entered the transfer portal, North Carolina’s need for a gunslinger became more apparent. The Tar Heels landed Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards, who should be the Day One starter and Miles O’Neill, who comes in from Texas A&M.

Two more former Tar Heels announced their portal commitments on Saturday. Bryce Baker, the crown jewel of UNC’s 2024 recruiting class, committed to Virginia Tech.

Max Johnson, who started most of 2024 and a few games last season, committed to Georgia Southern.

Baker was a Top-15 quarterback in the 2024 class, putting together a storied career at East Forsyth High School that included 6,605 passing yards and 79 passing touchdowns. Not seeing a single snap in 2025, Baker made the smart decision to go somewhere he’s more likely to see the field.

Johnson is a journeyman quarterback who started his career at LSU in 2020, playing two seasons there before transferring to College Station. Johnson brought veteran experience and talent to Chapel Hill, but unfortunately, a broken leg in North Carolina’s 2024 opener largely shaped his future in Carolina Blue.

With 6,356 passing yards and 49 passing touchdowns through his first five collegiate seasons, Johnson looks to end his collegiate career the right way – in his home state.

The Tar Heels also have highly-touted quarterback Travis Burgess joining their room this fall. Will Edwards, O’Neill or Burgess win UNC’s 2026 starting QB gig?

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Bryce Baker, Max Johnson find new homes