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Wake Forest Today
By the People, for the People
Bill Belichick Lands New QB for North Carolina Tar Heels
Veteran coach adds Western Carolina transfer Taron Dickens to 2026 roster
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick has signed Western Carolina transfer quarterback Taron Dickens to his 2026-27 roster. Dickens, who passed for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns last season, will compete with Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin) and Miles O'Neill (Texas A&M) to lead the Tar Heels' offense under new coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Why it matters
Belichick's addition of Dickens is a high-profile move that adds depth and competition at the quarterback position for the Tar Heels, who lost their top three QBs from 2025 to the transfer portal. Dickens' strong arm and improvisational skills could make him an exciting option to lead the Tar Heels' offense in the upcoming season.
The details
Dickens broke the NCAA record for most consecutive passes completed in a single game last season with 46 in a row on Oct. 4. He finished that game 53-for-56 with 378 yards and three touchdowns, leading Western Carolina to a 23-21 victory over Wofford. Dickens was also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the FCS' top offensive player.
- Dickens passed for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and two interceptions during the 2025-26 season.
- Belichick signed Dickens to the Tar Heels' 2026-27 roster on February 15, 2026.
The players
Bill Belichick
The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team, known for his success at the NFL level with the New England Patriots.
Taron Dickens
A transfer quarterback from Western Carolina University who passed for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2025-26, setting an NCAA record for most consecutive passes completed in a single game.
Billy Edwards Jr.
A quarterback transferring to North Carolina from the University of Wisconsin, who will compete with Dickens and O'Neill for the starting job.
Miles O'Neill
A quarterback transferring to North Carolina from Texas A&M, who will compete with Dickens and Edwards Jr. for the starting job.
Bobby Petrino
The new offensive coordinator for the North Carolina Tar Heels, known for his innovative passing offenses.
What’s next
The next big event for college football players, albeit those leaving the NCAA, is the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to take place on from April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick, and they're largely projected to take championship-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The takeaway
Belichick's addition of Dickens adds an exciting new dimension to the Tar Heels' quarterback competition, with the Western Carolina transfer's strong arm and improvisational skills potentially making him a dynamic option to lead North Carolina's offense in the upcoming season.
