UNC adds former Wisconsin QB and WR via transfer portal, reports say
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Billy Edwards Jr. transfers from Wisconsin to North Carolina with one year.
- Edwards brings 2024 production and experience to UNC quarterback competition.
- Commitment signals UNC’s portal strategy and adds a veteran option for 2026.
It appears North Carolina has added an experienced quarterback out of the transfer portal — and he’s bringing a target with him.
Former Wisconsin and Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. committed to North Carolina on Sunday morning, according to multiple reports. North Carolina added another former Wisconsin player out of the transfer portal Monday, as wide receiver Trech Kekahuna committed to the Tar Heels, his agent Joe DiBenedetto confirmed via social media.
Edwards, a 6-foot-3, 228-pound senior from Springfield, Virginia, has one year of eligibility remaining after receiving a medical redshirt and is expected to be available for spring practice, per ESPN.
Edwards began the 2025 season as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback but suffered a knee injury in the opener that limited him to just 34 snaps.
Before transferring to Wisconsin, Edwards redshirted in 2021 at Wake Forest and then spent three seasons at Maryland, including a productive year as the Terrapins’ starter in 2024. That season, he completed 65% of his passes for 2,881 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding five rushing touchdowns. His 261.9 passing yards per game ranked second in the Big Ten that season.
Kekahuna, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound rising junior with two years of eligibility remaining, caught 26 passes for 211 yards last season for the Badgers. He also ran the ball 14 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. He finished his Wisconsin career with 55 receptions for 614 yards and two touchdowns over three seasons.
A native of Honolulu who attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Kekahuna is the latest portal addition for North Carolina and joins former Badgers quarterback Edwards in Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels continue to reshape their offense this offseason.
South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, who started 11 games in 2025, reversed course and is planning on entering the portal, according to multiple reports Monday. Au’Tori Newkirk also remains on the roster. Max Johnson and highly touted freshman Bryce Baker have entered the transfer portal. UNC also signed incoming four-star freshman Travis Burgess, ESPN’s No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in the 2026 class.
Edwards is North Carolina’s first transfer portal commitment of the current cycle, which opened Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.
UNC general manager Michael Lombardi said in December the program was prepared for an aggressive and targeted approach in the portal. Edwards’ commitment is evidence of that and gives the Tar Heels a veteran option at quarterback as Belichick and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino — whose hiring should be announced by UNC this week — look to stabilize an offense that struggled throughout the 2025 season.
The Tar Heels finished 4-8 in Bill Belichick’s disappointing first season as head coach. UNC ranked near the bottom of the FBS in several major offensive categories, averaging 19.3 points and 288.8 yards per game.
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 1:57 PM.