UNC football adds a second transfer quarterback in three days. Who is it?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC adds Texas A&M transfer QB Miles O’Neill, accelerating quarterback rebuild.
- O’Neill and Billy Edwards Jr. will compete for the starting role this fall.
- O’Neill brings arm strength and development upside with three years of eligibility.
North Carolina has added another piece to its reshaped quarterback room 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.
O’Neill announced his decision via his Instagram on Tuesday afternoon. News broke weeks ago that the Tar Heels were moving toward hiring Petrino, although the university has yet to announce his hire.
O’Neill is UNC’s second quarterback addition of the portal window, following the commitment of Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. on Sunday. He and arrives amid significant turnover at the position. News broke Monday that 2025 starter Gio Lopez is expected to enter the transfer portal. Freshman Bryce Baker and veteran backup Max Johnson announced their intentions to transfer earlier this offseason.
A key factor in O’Neill’s decision, presumably, was his connection to Petrino, who originally recruited O’Neill to Texas A&M in the 2024 class. Although the two never worked together in College Station — Petrino was not retained when former Duke head coach Mike Elko was hired to lead Texas A&M’s program in 2023 — it’s safe to assume that familiarity helped position UNC as a likely option once O’Neill entered the portal.
O’Neill, a Marblehead, Massachusetts native, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. He was a four-star prospect out of the Hun School of Princeton (N.J.), where he earned New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2023. He appeared in eight games over two seasons with the Aggies, primarily as a reserve. This past season, he completed 7 of 14 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in 2025.
The incoming Tar Heel is known for his arm strength, pocket presence and ability to push the ball downfield. With three years of eligibility remaining, O’Neill will have plenty of time to refine his accuracy and decision-making. He will likely compete with Edwards for a starting role this fall, with current freshman Au’Tori Newkirk and incoming four-star freshman Travis Burgess further down the depth chart.
O’Neill’s addition, in particular, gives UNC both immediate competition and a longer-term developmental option as the Tar Heels attempt to stabilize an offense that struggled throughout a 4–8 season.
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 2:25 PM.