top of page

Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels in Top Six for Transfer DB

UAB Athletics

The second transfer window has been a quiet one for the Tar Heels regarding incoming players, but it appears they now have their first target.


UAB transfer defensive back Jaylen Key announced on Tuesday that he was entering the transfer portal after four seasons in Birmingham. Now, just five days later, he has revealed his top six schools which feature some of the nations top programs.


Amongst those six are the Tar Heels, who quietly offered him this week after his official entry. Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Oregon round out those still competing for his services. He is scheduled to be in Oxford on Monday after taking a trip to Tuscaloosa. He also has an official visit to Florida State set for Friday of this week.


Key's entrance into the portal comes after a breakout season for a Blazers pass defense that allowed just 194.9 yards per game. He finished the season with 60 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and one pass deflection. He did not allow more than 61 receiving yards in a game while splitting his time between safety and nickel corner.


The Tar Heels are going to have their work cut out for them in this race, but they may present Key with one of the best opportunities to build off of last year. The Tar Heels have had six defensive backs leave through the portal this offseason and while the cornerback position looks to be in good shape, the safety spot remains a major area of concern. Adding another productive transfer at the position to join Derrik Allen and Antavious Lane would help ease those concerns a little bit.

bottom of page