UNC football QB Gio Lopez plans return to Tar Heels in 2026, report says

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez is expected to return to Chapel Hill for another season in 2026, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Lopez’s return will give the Tar Heels continuity at the position as they enter the transfer portal cycle and transition to a new offensive coordinator.

Lopez, who transferred to UNC from South Alabama last offseason, started in 11 games in his first year with the Tar Heels. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while leading an offense that ranked 119th nationally in scoring and averaged a mere 19.3 points per game. North Carolina scored more than 27 in a game just once last season.

UNC fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens on Dec. 12 following the season and is, according to multiple reports, finalizing a deal to hire Bobby Petrino to run the offense.

Lopez’s return comes as the Tar Heels prepare for the transfer portal window, which opens Jan. 2 and runs until Jan. 16.

Freshman Bryce Baker, the four-star quarterback prospect out of East Forsyth High School, is expected to enter the portal. Sixth-year quarterback Max Johnson has also indicated his intent to transfer and seek a waiver for a seventh season elsewhere. Freshman Au’Tori Newkirk expected to remain at UNC, and incoming freshman signee Travis Burgess, a four-star top-200 national prospect recovering from ACL surgery, will enroll early in January.