Bill Belichick‘s rebuild of the North Carolina Tar Heels just got a major boost with the addition of former FCS quarterback Taron Dickens, a major move following a disappointing 4-8 debut season in Chapel Hill.
The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach couldn’t translate his NFL pedigree to the college level in his first season. The Belichick era began with a humbling 48–14 home loss to the TCU Horned Frogs on Labor Day, which set a record for the most points ever surrendered by a North Carolina team in a season opener.
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The worst part? For the first time since 2018, the team failed to make a bowl game. The Tar Heels’ quarterback room was arguably the weakest in the ACC. South Alabama Jaguars transfer Gio Lopez managed just 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions after beating out veteran Max Johnson and true freshman Bryce Baker for the starting job.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts during a game.© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
(© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)
Enter Dickens, who is coming off a record-breaking 2025 campaign for the Western Carolina Catamounts, threw for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns against just two interceptions in his redshirt sophomore season.
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On3 shared Sunday that Dickens, who went 3-1 as a starter in 2024 before his breakout 2025 season, has signed with the Tar Heels, according to reporter Pete Nakos.
He set the NCAA record for most consecutive passes completed in a single game, completing 46 in a row against the Wofford Terriers on Oct. 4. The Florida native was also named the 2025 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished as the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
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Dickens is the third signal-caller UNC has added through the portal. He joins former Wisconsin Badgers signal-caller Billy Edwards Jr., who threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, and the Texas A&M Aggies’ Miles O’Neill.
Related: Bill Belichick Receives Low Letter Grade After First Season in College Football
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
