• Football
  • Gio Lopez Named The Starting Quarterback For North Carolina Ahead Of The Heels' Opener

Gio Lopez Named The Starting Quarterback For North Carolina Ahead Of The Heels' Opener

Details
Football

(BCSNN) — North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick has named South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback for the 2025 season, the program announced. Lopez will make his debut under center when UNC hosts TCU on Monday night in a nationally televised primetime matchup.

Belichick, entering his first season as a college head coach after two decades with the New England Patriots, said Lopez earned the job through steady progress in training camp and a strong grasp of offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens’ system. “We’ve evaluated things throughout camp,” Belichick said. “Gio’s made a ton of progress. He’ll get the majority of reps and we’ll get him as much preparation as possible.”

Lopez transferred to North Carolina in April after two seasons at South Alabama, where he started 11 games in 2024 and earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention. He completed 66% of his passes for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 463 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. A true dual-threat, Lopez ranked 22nd nationally in total offense and set a school record with 494 yards in a single game against North Texas.

The quarterback competition included veteran Max Johnson, who started UNC’s 2024 opener before suffering a season-ending leg injury, and highly touted freshman Bryce Baker. Johnson will serve as the primary backup, while Baker and fellow freshman Au’Tori Newkirk round out the depth chart. Belichick said all quarterbacks will continue to develop behind Lopez, but emphasized the need for continuity at the position.

Lopez, a native of Madison, Alabama, was a three-star recruit out of James Clemens High School and originally committed to South Alabama over offers from Troy, Charlotte, and UAB. He led the Jaguars to their first bowl win in program history and was named MVP of the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl. His transfer to UNC was part of a broader roster overhaul that saw the Tar Heels bring in more than 30 players via the portal.

With Belichick making his college debut and Lopez stepping into a high-profile role, Monday’s opener against TCU will offer an early glimpse at the Tar Heels’ new identity. “It’s a great opportunity,” Lopez said. “I’m honored to be Coach Belichick’s first starting quarterback, and I’m ready to lead this team.”