Which position group is UNC’s strongest in 2026?

Just like last season, North Carolina is dealing with significant roster turnover. 

This time, though, head coach Bill Belichick learned from his mistakes, and the moves are driven more by necessity after a disastrous 4-8 campaign in 2025 than by choice, as was the case last offseason.

For starters, the Tar Heels replaced most of their offense, including the running back room and star wide receiver Jordan Shipp. Unlike last year, when Michael Lombardi was in charge of building the offense, that responsibility now falls to new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who has a long track record of constructing high-powered attacks.

Defensively, the Tar Heels also leaned on the transfer portal, but several key contributors from last season return after serving in rotational roles. The identity on that side of the ball should remain familiar, as the entire defensive staff is back.

With fall camp just a few weeks away, the question now is which position group stands out as the strongest. Some rooms are clearly ahead of others, but the gap isn’t as wide as it might seem.

With that in mind, here are our picks for the strongest position group for UNC this season.

Tight End

North Carolina features a revamped tight end room via the portal after heavy turnover from last season where they picked up three experienced Power Four players.

Jelani Thurman, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Ohio State, adds further experience after playing in 34 games from 2023 to 2025 and tallying 13 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he had seven receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Jaxxon Warren, a 6-foot-8 Colorado State transfer, has battled injuries, including surgeries on both shoulders in 2024 and a season-ending foot injury in 2025. After recovering, he seemed poised for a breakout, catching six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against Washington and adding a 16-yard grab the next week before the foot injury shut him down.

Jordan Washington, a 6-foot-4, 264-pound transfer from Texas, brings three years of eligibility and steady Power Five production after appearing in all 12 games last season with two starts and finishing with seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive Line

North Carolina’s defensive line was one of its strongest units in year one under Bill Belichick, and the Tar Heels expect similar production up front in 2026. With defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco back — and most of last year’s production retained — the biggest loss is edge rusher Tyler Thompson, who transferred to Louisville after recording seven sacks in 2025.

Melkart Abou-Jaoude (6-5, 260) was a top retention priority. The former Delaware transfer finished second in the ACC with 10.5 sacks, was fourth on the team in tackles, earned Second-Team All-ACC honors and is viewed as UNC’s best overall player and defensive leader.

Richmond transfer Donovan Hoilette Jr. (6-4, 245) is the most seasoned lineman, coming off a First-Team All-Patriot League year with 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He’s expected to start opposite Abou Jaoude.

On the interior, Leroy Jackson (6-1, 290) and Isaiah Johnson (6-2, 320) give UNC proven production against the run and steady play between the A and B gaps.

Younger pieces round out the rotation. Xavier Lewis (6-0, 250) flashed as a situational pass rusher, ranking among UNC’s top linemen in pass-rush grade despite tackling issues. Former Penn State edge Joseph Mupoyi (6-5, 261) and fellow Nittany Lion transfer Jaylen Harvey (6-2, 246) project as depth and developmental options with upside and multiple years of eligibility remaining.

Secondary

While the secondary loses most of its starters, Carolina fans should still be optimistic given the snaps this year’s projected starters have taken.

Jaiden Patterson emerged as one of UNC’s top young defenders in 2025, stepping in after Thaddeus Dixon’s injury and grading well across the board. He’s expected to take on a major role and is poised for a breakout in 2026. 

Opposite Patterson should be Ade Willie, who played four seasons at Michigan State, appearing in over 30 games with seven starts, totaling 34 tackles, two for loss, and a pass breakup. Willie was the starting nickelback early in the 2025 season but was sidelined by a season-ending injury, which gave him an extra year of eligibility after playing only four games. 

At safety, Kaleb Cost brings versatility and experience, playing both slot and outside; with Dixon and Marcus Allen gone, he becomes the veteran presence in the secondary. 

Greg Smith, a safety who earned the highest PFF grade among UNC defensive backs with significant snaps, shined as a redshirt freshman and should see his role expand significantly in 2026 as other veterans depart.

Other safeties to watch include veteran redshirt senior Coleman Bryson, who played significant snaps as a backup last season, and incoming freshman Jakob Weatherspoon, a highly regarded four-star safety whom the Tar Heels beat out Ohio State for in one of the biggest recruiting upsets in the 2026 cycle.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Which position group is UNC’s strongest in 2026?