Heel Tough Blog: UNC Linebacker Searching For Extra Year Enters the Portal

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It’s no secret that the Tar Heels are in need of more help at the linebacker position and that remains true after the news that they received on Friday evening.

As first reported by Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Tar Heel linebacker Mikai Gbayor has entered the transfer portal. He will have one year remaining wherever he lands if he can get a waiver from the NCAA.

Gbayor spent just one season with the Tar Heels after transferring from Missouri last April after spending spring ball with Missouri. In his lone season in Chapel Hill, he finished with 41 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two total quarterback pressures, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown. In his college career, which started with three years at Nebraska, Gbayor has collected 114 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 12 total quarterback pressures, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

This is not an unexpected loss for the Tar Heels considering they only expected him to be there for one year. If he can get that extra year of eligibility, it would be great to get him back in the fold, especially since he would likely be a starter this season. Hopefully this is an avenue that the team is exploring and there will be a quick answer on his status for next season so the team could make a legitimate push to get him back without them having to miss out on other current targets or would-be targets.