Heel Tough Blog: Starting Battles Evolving in Fall Camp

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The Tar Heels are now just 17 days away from the start of the 2026 season when they square off against TCU in Ireland. While the focus will eventually shift to preparations for the game against the Horned Frogs, the team is currently letting some important battles play out in fall camp. While there were a bunch of battles on the team’s hands coming into the month, there are some that have been solved, while others remain up in the air. Here’s a look at the battles for starting jobs that we believe are still commencing at this point in camp and who we think emerges in each one.

Quarterback

Contenders: Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O’Neill

There have been some conflicting reports about where exactly this battle stands from those that cover the program, but it is safe to say that this battle is still raging as the team enters the second half of camp. Edwards is healthy after still dealing with some of the lingering effects of last year’s PCL injury back in the spring and the veteran presence that he brings after starting for a full season at Maryland back in 2024 could be exactly what the Tar Heels need out of the gate. O’Neill, meanwhile, fits the prototype for what Bobby Petrino is looking for to run his offense, but reports are saying that he has struggled with decision-making and accuracy, areas that he will have to shore up if he wins the job. This will be the battle that we will be monitoring the most leading up to the season and this could very well be one that carries over into the start of the season. Right now, we’ll still lean Edwards because of the experience, but it feels like there is a chance we see both quarterbacks in the opener and either one could start.

Right Tackle

Contenders: Jacqawn McRoy and Eidan Buchanan

The left tackle spot is already locked up by Jordan Hall and it feels like this right tackle job is close to being decided as well. In the first two practices that were open to the media, Jacqawn McRoy has been running with the ones and it doesn’t feel like that is expected to change moving forward. This shouldn’t be the most surprising news considering McRoy’s ties to Bobby Petrino and his system, along with his 4✮ status coming out of high school. Barring a drastic shift here in the next ten days or so, it should be McRoy taking the first snaps in the opener.

Edge Rusher 

Contenders: Jaylen Harvey and Donovan Hoilette

This was one of the most intriguing battles heading into camp and it appears as if Harvey might be gaining an advantage here. Belichick talked about the explosiveness and burst that he saw from Harvey when he spoke last Thursday and it appears that the Penn State transfer has been running with the ones in the first two practices that the media has been in attendance for. Another factor to keep in mind is that Hoilette wasn’t practicing with the edge rusher last Thursday so he could be banged up, paving the way for Harvey. With the buzz trending his way, it feels like Harvey could be the starter in Dublin.

Weakside Linebacker

Contenders: Jonathan Agumadu and Derek McDonald

This was a much fiercer battle than some probably realized coming into fall practice after Agumadu had a good showing back in the spring, but it feels like this is starting to trend away from him. It appears that McDonald is viewed as one of the leaders of this team after speaking to the media last week after practice and there is no indication that he is not taking first team reps with the linebackers. Unless that changes starting with tomorrow’s practice, it seems like McDonald should be taking the first snaps for the team at the weakside linebacker spot in the opener.

Field Corner

Contenders: Tre Miller, Jalon Thompson and Ade Willie

This is where things start to get really interesting. Once thought to really be a two player race between Thompson and Willie, a new wrinkle was thrown in last week when Tre Miller reportedly was taking snaps with the first team on the outside. Miller struggled a bit in the slot a year ago, but has clearly shown enough to at least get himself in the conversation here in the past week. It feels like the guys who don’t win the job will still factor in here at some point so get familiar with the names, but it feels like Miller might have the momentum here.

Field Safety

Contenders: Coleman Bryson, Peyton Waters and Ade Willie

This is another position that had a new name firmly inserted into the competition over the past couple of weeks. After it appeared like Willie and Bryson were going to be the two main competitors here, it’s Waters who took the first team reps during the open portion of practice last Thursday. This feels like a newer development because the media got a look at the safeties in the first practice and didn’t mention it, so there may be an opportunity for someone to counter. Until we hear that happen, though, we will assume that Waters will build off the momentum that he has to win this job.

Punter

Contenders: Jacob Horvath and Adam McCann-Gibbs

Special teams notes have been sparse leading us to believe there could still be a battle going on here. Horvath would still be the expectation because of the experience, but it’s not impossible that McCann-Gibbs could handle the duties in his home country if he has taken well to American football.