ACC Kickoff: UNC head coach Bill Belichick, Melkart Abou-Jaoude, Christo Kelly and Jordan Shipp (VIDEO)

UNC Tar Heels key players

Quarterbacks Billy Edwards Jr., Miles O’Neill, and Travis Burgess: The three are continuing to battle for the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback position.

Wide receiver Jordan Shipp: Ship was named a 2025 All-ACC Honorable Mention after leading UNC with 60 catches and 671 yards receiving.

Defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude: Abou Jaoude was named second team All-ACC after finishing eighth nationally with 10.5 sacks last season.

Center Christo Kelly: Won the Heels’ starting center job last season but was only to play in two games before being sidelined with a season-ending injury.

2026 Tar Heels schedule

Aug. 29 vs. TCU (Ireland) Noon ET (ESPN)
Sept. 5 OPEN
Sept. 12 East Tennessee State Noon ET (ACCN)
Sept. 19 at Clemson * Noon ET (ESPN)
Sept. 26 OPEN
Oct. 3 Notre Dame
Oct. 10 at Pitt *
Oct. 17 at Duke *
Oct. 24 Syracuse *
Oct. 31 Miami *
Nov. 7 at UConn
Nov. 14 Louisville *
Nov. 21 at Virginia *
Nov. 28 NC State *

UNC’s Bill Belichick, Melkart Abou-Jaoude, Christo Kelly and Jordan Shipp