By R.L. Bynum
Graduate student Billy Edwards Jr., who was considered the favorite to be North Carolina’s starting quarterback entering training camp, reportedly will be the starter for next week’s opener against TCU.
Junior Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill started scrimmages, got first-team reps in practices open to the media and made it a close race, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Tuesday afternoon that, according to sources, Edwards would be the starter for the noon ET game Aug. 29 at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.
Naming Edwards the starter 11 days before the opener could signal the Tar Heels’ desire for continuity and a quarterback who fits the offensive plan the coaches want to run against a strong TCU defense.
Edwards, 6–3, 216 pounds, transferred from Wisconsin with the most extensive résumé in the quarterback room. In 28 games, the first three seasons being at Maryland, Edwards threw for 3,435 yards, 19 touchdowns and a 126.8 passer rating, running for 375 yards. He missed nearly all of last season after suffering a knee injury in the Badgers’ opener.
That may mean that Edwards will receive the scripted first‑series reps and the bulk of the early snaps, while O’Neill remains a ready and capable backup who could see situational packages or more playing time if the game’s flow demands it.
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