The North Carolina Tar Heels will begin a new era of football following Week 14 as they’ve announced the decision to move on from long-time head coach Mack Brown. With this news coming at the end of the season, there could certainly be an influx of players who were recruited by Brown and Co. who jettison the program via the transfer portal.
Among those, emerging talent Kaleb Cost highlights the group.
Potential Transfer Portal Entrants from North Carolina
It’s a double whammy for North Carolina fans as the season is coming to an abrupt end in Week 14 and Brown’s dismissal. Per NCAA guidelines, players whose head coach is relieved of their duties are allowed to to enter for 30 days following the move. That just means the North Carolina players will be allowed to enter the portal a week ahead of the portal’s official open date for FBS players in December.
With that in mind, here are the players who might think of jumping ship following UNC’s final regular season of 2024.
Michael Merdinger, QB
A three-star recruit and plenty of interest during his recruiting days, Michael Merdinger wouldn’t surprise many to see him on the move after his lone year in Chapel Hill. Merdinger had plenty of interest from schools that are in need of a QB in 2025 or in flux of their coaching futures, so he may not necessarily have to make a decision quickly either.
FAU, App State, and Georgia Tech immediately come to mind.
Davion Gause, RB
The lone true freshman skill player who made a relative impact, Davion Gause has run the rock 60-plus times and scored four times. A four-star recruit from some recruiting services, his skills showcased this season should make him a hot commodity in the portal.
Look out for Miami here.
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Kobe Paysour, WR
After three years of middling success as the Heels’ slot receiver, Kobe Paysour could be in for a big-ticket deal at a low-tier Power Four school or as a coveted player for a Group of Five school. Paysour has dominant skills at the catch point but has been subject to lackluster QB play in what should have been his breakout year.
The former No. 4 overall player in South Carolina could look to return home to one of his in-state schools.
Jordan Shipp, WR
The highest-ranked recruit of last year’s cycle, Jordan Shipp is the first name that comes to mind when thinking of North Carolina’s portal entrants. Shipp has played in every game but been limited due to those aforementioned QB struggles. The 6’1″, 190-pounder has WR1 abilities at every level.
Shipp may wait until the coaching carousel cools down to join a familiar face but don’t be surprised if he’s one of the hottest commodities at wide receiver this circuit due to his upside.
Chris Culliver, WR
Like Shipp, Chris Culliver was the top-ranked recruit of his Carolina class, joining the program as the highest-ranked player in UNC’s class of 2023. After two seasons, he’s caught just five passes and will certainly be looking for more time and to make more of an impact.
At one point, the majority of the ACC was after him, so don’t be surprised if he lands at a rival.
Christian Hamilton, WR
Another four-star receiver in the class of 2023, Christian Hamilton, likely finds himself in the same boat as the other two receivers listed above him here. Hamilton has caught nine passes in his UNC tenure but had plenty of interest coming out of Hickory Ridge.
Notre Dame is the school to watch for Hamilton.
Alex Taylor, WR
The Tar Heels loaded up on talented playmakers at wide receiver in the past two classes but haven’t had the ability to showcase Alex Taylor and the rest of them. Once upon a time, Taylor was a top-500 overall recruit and a high-profile player from the state of North Carolina. At 6’3″, he has the size and speed to stretch defenses.
With NC State answering their questions at QB it seems, perhaps Taylor can stay in-state with his destination if he jumps.
Howard Sampson, LT
Howard Sampson has emerged as a star on the Tar Heels offensive line this season. The former North Texas lineman has started every game at left tackle in 2024 and could be in for a massive pay day when he jumps to the NFL. He’s likely a year out from that, however, and could enter the portal for a chance to cement his draft status at a bigger program.
Sampson could also look to stay right at home as a carryover to the next staff and do the same at UNC.
Trevyon Green, RT
Like Sampson, Trevyon Green likely has NFL Draft aspirations in a year or so. And similar to Sampson, he could carry over and stay for the new regime as a stalwart run blocker on the right side.
Green is a big man who can improve his pass protection skills in perhaps a quicker offense. A transfer to an offense that fits his skills better may showcase his abilities in a better light.
Jakiah Leftwich, OT
Jakiah Leftwich entered UNC on the heels of multiple starts at right tackle with Georgia Tech in 2022 and 2023. However, he hasn’t started a game for the Tar Heels and only really played the majority of snaps in two outings this year.
Leftwich has starting ability, but he’s likely not going to find that at UNC in the new regime’s tenure.
Luke Masterson, OT
Long and lean Luke Masterson was a three-star recruit from Tennessee when he signed with Mack Brown and Co. Recruited heavily by the SEC, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Masteron hit the portal early in his career to find a more consistent footing and get on the field more often.
Ole Miss could be Masteron’s preferred destination.
Jani Norwood, OT
Jani Norwood played two games this season after coming in as a member of the class of 2024. He wasn’t quite a high-profile recruit, but Norwood had plenty of interest from the Group of Five programs in the Carolinas. If playing time is of interest for Norwood, don’t be surprised if he takes his high upside to Coastal or Charlotte when things are said and done.
Aidan Banfield, OG
Aidan Banfield made the trek to North Carolina from the state of Georgia in the class of 2024 and has started nine games at left guard for the Tar Heels. He’s emerged as a potential star on the line and could choose to stay around for the University’s sake under the new regime.
More likely, however, is Banfield returning home and landing with Georgia Tech who recruited him heavily in high school. It helps that Brent Key has made the Yellow Jackets a contender and has shown he can improve his portal players, specifically on the offensive line, almost immediately.
Travis Shaw, DT
A big man on the inside, Travis Shaw could covet a ton of interest in the portal if he so jumps. Shaw stands at 6’5″ and 330 pounds but has shown he can disrupt the passing game and rushing lanes all the same.
He may not be a surefire three-down starter, but as a veteran rotational presence, Shaw could find himself right at home in the SEC.
Beau Atkinson, EDGE
Coming off the edge nearest you, Beau Atkinson has exploded onto the scene this year for the Tar Heels. While their defensive prowess largely goes to Kaimon Rucker, Atkinson has proven to be an unstoppable force off the edge in spurts this year.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Atkinson stay in Chapel Hill, but back in high school, did have a bevy of offers from some massive programs that could come calling once more. Penn State’s recent proficiency at producing NFL-level edge defenders may be the deciding factor.
Amare Campbell, LB
Amare Campbell has positional versatility at linebacker, playing mike or will linebacker with ease this season. Campbell has showcased his three-down ability by being able to rush the passer as well as he can patrol the middle of the field in coverage or against the run.
A native of Northern Virginia, his options are likely wide open if he hits the portal, though a program like North Carolina may be best suited for his skills even under a new regime.
Kaleb Cost, DB
An 11-game starter this year, Kaleb Cost has flashed as a dominant and versatile coverage defender. He’s played largely in the slot this year, covering a who’s who of talented pass-catchers with great skill.
Cost had interest from multiple Florida-based schools and the Miami Hurricanes are likely the school to beat if Cost were to enter the portal.
Marcus Allen, CB
A three-year player and two-year starter, Marcus Allen has NFL hopes, but may need another year to make that happen. Allen has great length and knows how to use his skills to cover a wide array of receiver types.
With 12 career plays on the ball, Allen should covet a ton of interest if he enters the portal, and don’t be surprised if the Georgia Bulldogs enter the picture.
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Malcolm Ziglar, S
Malcolm Ziglar was the top-ranked defensive recruit in the class of 2024, hailing from Fuquay-Varina High School. There was a ton of interest in Ziglar’s services as a recruit, and he has only played in three games for the Tar Heels this season.
With Shane Beamer’s ability in the portal of late and the Gamecocks’ emergence, don’t be surprised if Torrian Gray and Co. can bring him over to Columbia.
Jaiden Patterson, S
Similar to Ziglar, Jaiden Patterson was the second-ranked defensive player in the class of 2024 for North Carolina, and has only played minuscule snaps this year. Patterson has the versatility to play safety or cornerback at his next stop, and with his upside, he should be another player that would generate some serious interest.
Those schools that had shown interest as recruits would have the advantage here, specifically Vanderbilt.
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