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Heel Tough Blog: 2025 Roster Update

Writer's picture: Anthony PagnottaAnthony Pagnotta

Updated: Jan 19


The Tar Heels are continuing to build their roster for the 2025 season, the first under new head coach Bill Belichick. Here is a look at where the roster currently stands and our thoughts on where each room sits.


Total Scholarships: 78 of 85


Quarterback

Bob Donnan- Imagn Images
Bob Donnan- Imagn Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 3

#14 Max Johnson (Gr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Ryan Browne (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Bryce Baker (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#13 DJ Mazzone (RFr.)*

#16 Ben Bastek (RFr.)*

#18 Andres Miyares Jr. (RFr.)*

#19 Hudson Wilharm (RFr.)*

This room got a bit of a surprise when Jacolby Criswell announced he was entering the transfer portal, but they are still in good shape thanks to the addition of Browne. If Johnson is able to return to action in the spring, this should be a three man quarterback battle. The team might look to add someone else, but they shouldn't force anything.


Running Back

Grant Halverson- Getty Images
Grant Halverson- Getty Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 5

# 4 Caleb Hood (Gr.): 1 year remaining

#21 Davion Gause (So.): 3 years remaining

#23 Charleston French (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Demon June Jr. (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Jariel Cobb (Fr.): 4 years remaining

This is the position where we have seen the most desperation from the staff so far and they have swung and missed with nearly every target so far. Davion Gause has the talent to carry the load the way that Omarion Hampton did the last couple of years, but they need some help for him. Caleb Hood has proven that he could handle that role if he stays healthy, but that is a risk the team can’t afford to take with his injury. The team needs to add another running back with experience to room whether it is in this transfer window or the spring one.


Wide Receiver

Don Juan Moore- Getty Images
Don Juan Moore- Getty Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 10

# 8 Kobe Paysour (Sr.): 1 year remaining

# 3 Chris Culliver (Jr.): 2 years remaining

# 1 Jordan Shipp (So.): 3 years remaining

# 7 Christian Hamilton (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Aziah Johnson (So.): 3 years remaining

#11 Paul Billups II (So.): 3 years remaining

# 0 Alex Taylor (RFr.): 4 years remaining

# 9 Javarius Green (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Jason Robinson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Evan Haynes (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#27 Michael Hall (Jr.)*

#38 Aiden Cloninger (Jr.)*

#83 Josh Espindola (So.)*

#85 Grady Sherrill (So.)*

The team has already added one commitment here and look to be closing in on adding a second to this room. This group has plenty of talent and the addition of an experienced option in the slot would make this room whole for this upcoming season. Similar to quarterback, if another big name was to enter they might add him, but this room will be perfectly fine with ten scholarship players.


Tight End

Chris Leduc- AP Images
Chris Leduc- AP Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 5

#19 Jake Johnson (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#16 Ryan Ward (So.): 3 years remaining

#80 Julien Randolph (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Connor Cox (So.): 3 years remaining

#82 Timmy Lawson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#89 Cal Tierney (Sr.)*

#88 Deems May III (Jr.)*

#87 Cort Halsey (So.)*

This is a position that the staff seems content with, but that it might be smart to keep looking at. While Cox provides some nice upside, the only proven option that the team has is Jake Johnson, who played sparingly this past season. If there is a big name that enters in this window or the spring window, the staff should jump on him.


Offensive Line

Chris Seward- AP Photo
Chris Seward- AP Photo

Number of Scholarship Players: 14

#58 Austin Blaske (Gr.): 1 year remaining

#-- William Boone (Gr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Daniel King (Gr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Christo Kelly (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Chad Lindberg (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#55 Zach Rice (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#78 Trevyon Green (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#68 Aidan Banfield (So.): 3 years remaining

#71 Luke Masterson (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Miles McVay (So.): 3 years remaining

#56 Jani Norwood (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#74 Desmond Jackson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Trey Blue (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Bryon Nelson (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#57 Bo Burkes (Jr.)*

#69 Jarvis Hicks (Jr.)*

#54 Zach Gluckman (RFr.)*

#67 Jason Smith II (RFr.)*

#77 Hayes Galloway (RFr.)*

The offensive line is the area that the team has hit the hardest in the transfer portal having landed five guys there so far. Each of the five will at least have a shot to start, especially with Austin Blaske looking as if he is the only one that has secured his starting job to this point. This room should be finished adding guys because the talent and depth are there now.


Edge Rushers

@pryceyates- Instagram
@pryceyates- Instagram

Number of Scholarship Players: 10

#-- Pryce Yates (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#24 Mali Hamrick (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#-- Melkart Abou-Jaoude (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#14 Jaybron Harvey (So.): 3 years remaining

#40 Tyler Thompson (So.): 3 years remaining

#33 Curtis Simpson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#95 Daniel Anderson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Austin Alexander (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Kamden Laudenslager (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Chinedu Onyeagoro (Fr.): 4 years remaining

This is a room that is shaping up very nicely after some important departures this offseason. The addition of Yates is huge and gives the Tar Heels one of the more productive pass rushers in college football the last three years and Abou-Jaoude is a guy that has nice upside that can contribute, as well. Belichick and company also did a tremendous job of retaining Austin Alexander, a guy who could contribute immediately, and adding Chinedu Onyeagoro, another guy who could be the future of the room. Barring another big name entering the transfer portal this room is probably complete for this upcoming season.


Defensive Linemen

David Beach- Cal Sport Media
David Beach- Cal Sport Media

Numbers of Scholarship Players: 8

#12 Beau Atkinson (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#-- CJ Mims (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#92 Rodney Lora (So.): 3 years remaining

#94 Joel Starlings (So.): 3 years remaining

#51 Peter Pesansky (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#91 Leroy Jackson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Devin Ancrum (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#96 Damon Bremer (So.)*

This is the room that you have to be most concerned about right now. Atkinson is a great keep that will have an effect off the edge, but the rest of the unit is lacking talent and depth. Mims is a solid edition, but is someone that should be a rotational piece not a starter who plays a significant amount. After that, there is a group of inexperienced guys led by Lora and Starlings that will need to take a huge leap this season if the team can’t bring in anyone else in this room. The hope is that the staff has multiple targets that they are looking at, though, to help address this major need.


Linebackers

Matt Krohn- USA Today Sports
Matt Krohn- USA Today Sports

Number of Scholarship Players: 5

#17 Amare Campbell (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#30 Michael Short (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#-- Khmori House (So.): 3 years remaining

#32 Evan Bennett (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#44 Crews Law (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#47 CJ Murphy (Jr.)*

#55 Cade Law (Jr.)*

This room looks to still be in good shape despite the departure of LaVallee to Florida State. Getting Campbell back was huge for this staff and House was an outstanding addition in the portal after how productive he was in Stephen Belichick’s system this past year. Adding another player in the portal or on the 2025 recruiting trail would be ideal with just seven total players in the room currently, but this group isn’t in the worst shape right now.


Defensive Backs

Bob Donnan- Imagn Images
Bob Donnan- Imagn Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 15

#29 Marcus Allen (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#31 Will Hardy (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Gavin Gibson (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#-- Thaddeus Dixon (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#21 Kaleb Cost (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#-- Coleman Bryson (Jr.): 2 years remaining

#15 Tre Miller (So.): 3 years remaining

# 0 Ty White (So.): 3 years remaining

# 3 Malcolm Ziglar (So.): 3 years remaining

#11 Ty Adams (So.): 3 years remaining

#18 Jaiden Patterson (So.): 3 years remaining

#20 Jalon Thompson (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Peyton Waters (So.): 3 years remaining

# 8 Zion Ferguson (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#26 Khalil Conley (RFr.): 4 years remaining

#-- Javion Butts (Fr.): 4 years remaining

#35 Jaden Selby (Jr.)*

#39 Major Byrd (Jr.)*

#19 Reggie Love II (So.)*

#37 Jack Blythe (So.)*

#27 Miles Gaddy (RFr.)*

#41 Kenyon McMahon (RFr.)*

This room has undergone a retooling so far this offseason and it has been pretty successful. Gibson is a very solid addition in the slot that could lead to some much needed improvement there, while Bryson and Waters are promising additions at safety that could help the team finally find some consistency back there after years of issues. Retaining Ty Adams was important at corner, but the addition of Dixon is what has put this room over the top. The all-conference caliber corner should have Tar Heel fans feeling confident that this unit has a chance to take a major step forward this season.


Special Teams

Bob Donnan- Imagn Images
Bob Donnan- Imagn Images

Number of Scholarship Players: 3

#96 Tom Maginness (Sr.): 1 year remaining

#97 Lucas Osada (So.): 3 years remaining

#-- Adam Samaha (So.): 3 years remaining

#37 Liam Boyd (Jr.)*

#-- Jaffer Murphy (Jr.)*

#61 Grant Mills (RFr.)*

#95 Ryan Hornyak (RFr.)*

Special teams is a spot where teams always try to limit scholarships and the Tar Heels have done a good job with this. Maginness and Osada could battle in spring camp for the punter job and there is a possibility that the loser could enter the portal. Meanwhile, Boyd and Samaha will likely battle for the kicking job and if Boyd was to win it, don’t be shocked if he gets put on scholarship. Murphy could be a similar case if he eventually gets involved in the battle. This unit is in perfect shape right now outside of a walk-on long snapper to provide depth behind Mills.

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