UNC quarterback Gio Lopez reverses course, commits to Wake Forest
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- UNC quarterback Gio Lopez will enter the transfer portal, per reports
- Lopez exit follows UNC’s addition of Billy Edwards Jr and reshapes quarterback room.
- Lopez started 11 games in 2025; UNC seeks offensive overhaul after 4-8 season.
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez has landed with the Demon Deacons.
Multiple reports, including from On3 and CBS, stated Monday afternoon that Lopez intended to enter the portal. About two weeks ago, had Lopez announced through his agent that he planned to return to North Carolina.
Lopez was quickly picked up in the portal, with Wake Forest announcing on Wednesday night they had signed the lefty for the upcoming season.
The South Alabama transfer started 11 games for the Tar Heels in 2025. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,747 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also added 133 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns on 83 carries.
His decision to enter the portal came one day after North Carolina landed former Wisconsin and Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. out of the transfer portal on Sunday, per multiple reports. Edwards is expected to be available for spring practice after receiving a medical redshirt, according to ESPN.
North Carolina added another piece to its reshaped quarterback room on Tuesday with the transfer portal commitment of Texas A&M quarterback Miles O’Neill, continuing an aggressive offseason rebuild under coach Bill Belichick and incoming offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Movement at UNC quarterback
Lopez’s exit further reshapes a UNC quarterback room that has been in flux since the end of a disappointing 4-8 season in Bill Belichick’s first year as head coach in Chapel Hill. Sixth-year quarterback Max Johnson and freshman Bryce Baker are also expected to enter the transfer portal. Freshman Au’Tori Newkirk is expected to remain on the roster, and the Tar Heels have also signed incoming four-star freshman Travis Burgess, who is expected to enroll early.
The Tar Heels struggled offensively, consistently ranking among the bottom of the FBS in major offensive categories last year. UNC averaged just 19.3 points and 288.8 yards per game in 2025.
UNC fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens in December and is expected to hire veteran coach Bobby Petrino to run the offense, though the university has not yet formally announced the move.
The transfer portal window opened Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM.