Irish Eyes on Chapel Hill: Meet the UNC Offense
The third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to showcase their elite-level defense on Saturday against the 2-1 North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Notre Dame (4-0) is seeking their first 5-0 start to a campaign since 2020, when the Irish opened the year as winners of ten straight. Saturday’s noon matchup with the Tar Heels will be the first time the sides face off since 2022, with the Irish currently owning a five-game streak over UNC.
For UNC, the Tar Heels are coming off a bye that followed their first loss of the season. They most recently suffered an eight-point road defeat at Clemson in a game that was interrupted by a nearly two and a half hour weather delay.
UNC Results (2-1)
15-10 win vs TCU (in Ireland)
35-3 win vs ETSU
20-28 loss at Clemson
Overall, UNC’s offense has been very average, with a tendency to lean on the run to open 2026. This past offseason, the Tar Heels hired Bobby Petrino for their Offensive Coordinator role. Petrino most recently served as OC and interim Head Coach at Arkansas from 2024-25. The Irish got a look at Petrino’s 2025 Razorbacks when they held the explosive offense that finished 19th in the country in total offense to just 13 points and 365 yards. Before this most recent Arkansas stint, Petrino had previously spent time as head coach at Louisville (twice), Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Missouri State, posting a 137-78 record during this time.
UNC enters Saturday averaging a modest 366 total yards per game, including 211 yards via the air and 155 via the ground. The Tar Heels are also averaging 23.3 points per game, but have limited their turnovers to just four, with three lost fumbles and one interception.
It could be a long day for the Tar Heels offense this week, as they prepare to go against a defense that is ranked among the best in the country in nearly every key statistic. See where Notre Dame ranks among FBS defenses below:
199.3 total yards per game allowed (1st)
3.6 yards per play allowed (2nd)
8.3 points per game allowed (2nd)
3 touchdowns allowed (tied-1st)
1 rushing touchdown allowed (1 of 10 teams to have allowed 1 or fewer)
53.8 rushing yards per game allowed (5th)
1.7 yards per carry allowed (3rd)
145.5 passing yards per game allowed (9th)
9 turnovers forced (tied-7th)
6 fumble recoveries (tied-1st)
13 sacks (tied-9th)
3.25 sacks per game (tied-12th)
Some leaders of the Irish defense that have contributed to this success so far include LB Drayk Bowen (22 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 fumble returned for a TD), EDGEs Bryce Young (14 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble) and Boubacar Traore (9 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble returned for a TD), and CB Leonard Moore (7 tackles, 2 PBUs).
Now, let’s get to know the UNC offensive personnel ahead of Saturday’s matchup:
Quarterback
Billy Edwards Jr.
UNC Starting QB Billy Edwards Jr. faced some outside criticism following the team’s loss to Clemson, but HC Belichick remains firm in his belief in the 6-3, 220-pound signal-caller. Edwards transferred to Chapel Hill this past offseason as a Graduate transfer with previous stops at Wake Forest, Maryland, and Wisconsin.
The Springfield, Virginia native committed to Wake Forest out of Lake Braddock High School. Edwards spent one season with the Demon Deacons, where he redshirted and did not appear in any games. He would then enter the portal and transfer to Maryland in 2022.
Maryland is where Edwards has found his most success in college. He appeared in 26 games across three years with the Terrapins, completing 63% of his throws for 3,317 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He also flashed some dual-threat abilities during this time with 377 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns across 144 carries.
Following three seasons at Maryland, Edwards would transfer to Wisconsin in 2025. The Virginia native threw 7/16 for 113 yards in two games played before suffering a season-ending PCL injury.
Through three games at his fourth program, Edwards is 44/78 (56%) passing for 611 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. These numbers are mostly carried by the QB’s 15/20, 244-yard, two-touchdown performance against ETSU. Meanwhile, against TCU and Clemson, Edwards has just a 32.7% completion rate with one touchdown and one interception.
Edwards came over to UNC with valuable prior starting experience. Like most QBs, if you let the Tar Heel signal-caller get into a rhythm, he does become dangerous in terms of accuracy, as seen by his ETSU game and past performances from his time at Maryland. It can be a long day for Edwards if he does not settle, as he was just 4/13 when pressured in the loss at Clemson. Also, the grad-transfer is a solid runner who is capable of using his legs to pick up gains if needed. Notably, Edwards’ deep throws have been very inconsistent this season.
Running Backs
Benjamin Hall
UNC’s featured ball-carrier through three games has been RB Benjamin Hall. The 5-11, 230-pound redshirt junior is in his second season with the Tar Heels following two years at Michigan.
Hall committed to Michigan out of North Cobb High School in Georgia as a three-star recruit. The Kennesaw native played in 11 games during his two seasons in Ann Arbor, redshirting in 2023 after making just three appearances. Hall rushed for 141 yards on 44 carries and added four catches for 12 yards during his time with the Wolverines.
Last season, Hall entered the portal and transferred to UNC. He made 11 starts, including one start in his debut season with the Heels. He finished the year with 71 carries for 274 yards and two touchdowns while contributing eight catches for 34 yards as a receiving option.
Through his first three games handling a significant workload, Hall has rushed for 215 yards on 33 carries. He ran for a season-high 130 yards on 18 carries in the loss at Clemson. While he has not found the end zone as a rusher, he has hauled in two receiving touchdowns across four catches for 42 yards. He has at least one catch in each game and receiving scores in each of the past two games.
Hall has been an efficient runner this season, averaging a solid 6.5 yards per carry. He possesses a physical build and, clearly, his production has skyrocketed compared to 2025. He is also reliable as a receiving threat. Notably, Hall did struggle in Ireland against TCU, rushing for just 36 yards and losing a fumble on 11 carries. Finally, while I would not classify it as much of an issue given the production, his lack of a rushing score could become a storyline to watch.
Others to watch: Jaylen McGill, Demon June
Receivers
Jordan Shipp
UNC’s leading receiver from 2025 is off to another productive start in his third season with the Tar Heels. Shipp originally committed to UNC as a four-star recruit out of Providence Day High School in Charlotte.
Shipp entered the 2026 season with 24 games played, including 13 starts. During this time, he compiled 69 receptions for 785 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2025.
This season, the 6-2, 200-pound junior has 13 catches for 164 yards, including at least two catches in each game. He impressed against TCU when he recorded five catches for 71 yards and on the road at Clemson when he finished with six catches for 68 yards.
Shipp has been consistently targeted and involved in UNC’s pass offense this season, averaging 12.6 yards per catch. He uses his good hands and route-running ability to beat defenses, as he is not necessarily described as an elite athlete. Shipp’s physicality can improve, as he can struggle to separate when pressed.
Mason Humphrey
The big, physical target of this receiving group is the 6-4, 210-pound senior Mason Humphrey. The Loganville, Georgia native is in his first year at UNC following three years at Lehigh.
Humphrey made 29 starts across 32 games played at Lehigh, racking up 90 catches for 1,423 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Through three games of FBS football, Humphrey has three receptions for 38 yards with one catch in each game. He displayed big-play upside during his time at Lehigh as a potential red zone and downfield threat, but this FCS production has not translated yet.
Trech Kekahuna
The most versatile piece of this group has been Trech Kekahuna. The 5-10, 185-pound redshirt junior is in his first season at UNC following three years at Wisconsin.
Kekahuna originally committed to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit coming out of high school. The Honolulu native spent his first three years at Saint Louis High School in Hawaii before transferring to Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas as a senior.
At Wisconsin, Kekahuna recorded 55 catches for 614 yards and two touchdowns across 29 games played with the Badgers, including seven starts. He also added 15 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown as a runner.
Through three games with the Tar Heels, Kekahuna has posted six catches for 71 yards and two carries for 18 yards. He has at least one catch in each game and posted season-highs against TCU when he recorded three receptions for 38 yards.
Kekahuna is off to a solid and efficient start to 2026, averaging 11.8 yards per reception. He has displayed good hands and is a legit threat after the catch thanks to his quickness, toughness, and high-level contact balance. A lack of explosive plays through three games is a bit disappointing for the Wisconsin transfer, and he did lose a fumble in the win against TCU. Kekahuna has largely filled in for C.J. Sadler, who did not appear against Clemson while dealing with an off-the-field situation. It is currently unknown if Sadler will suit up this Saturday.
Others to watch: C.J. Sadler (DNP vs Clemson)
Tight Ends
Jelani Thurman
Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman has emerged as one of the more productive tight ends in the country early into his UNC career. The 6-6, 245-pound TE originally committed to Ohio State as a four-star recruit out of Langston Hughes High School in Georgia.
Thurman spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, hauling in 13 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns across 33 games played, including one start.
Through three games with UNC, Thurman has 11 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown. The redshirt junior has at least three catches in each game and impressed against TCU when he hauled in four receptions for a season-high 94 yards.
Thurman is averaging an eye-popping 16.6 yards per catch this season, but he did struggle against Clemson when he finished the loss with just 18 yards on three catches. The former Buckeye possesses great size and good athleticism, but will have to prove he can maintain this production. Thurman also has good run blocking potential, but has been inconsistent as of late.
Others to watch: Carson Sneed, Shamar Easter
Offensive Line
LT Jordan Hall
UNC’s big-bodied starting LT is Jordan Hall. The 6-8, 310-pound redshirt junior is in his second year with the Tar Heels as a former UAB transfer.
The Columbus, Ohio native committed to UAB as a three-star recruit out of KIPP Columbus High School. Hall spent two years with the Blazers, redshirting and not playing in 2023 and appearing in 12 games, with one start, in 2024.
Hall transferred to UNC last season, where he made four starts across five games played. His emergence at the end of 2025 has set him up for success this season.
The redshirt junior possesses elite size and length, and he is a good athlete for his size. Hall has good pass-blocking potential, but struggled against Clemson when he allowed seven pressures, five hurries, and one sack in the road loss. This has been a theme for Hall when going against high-level pass-rushers, like Notre Dame employs.
LG Andrew Threatt
Probably the weakest point of a fairly strong offensive line has been the left guard position. Threatt is a 6-3, 320-pound senior transfer from Charleston Southern, where he spent the previous three years.
Threatt originally committed to Charleston Southern out of Chesterfield High School in South Carolina. He appeared in 30 games, with 12 starts, during his time at Charleston Southern, and was named First Team All-OVC in 2025.
Threatt has brought this solid prior experience to Chapel Hill for 2026. He is versatile enough to kick out to tackle, has a durable and physical frame, and flashes good run-blocking potential. However, the senior did struggle against Clemson all-around, including as a run blocker and against the pass rush with three pressures allowed. Overall, his pass protection has been inconsistent and will likely struggle against stronger, more physical defensive fronts.
C Christo Kelly
UNC’s starting center will be 6-4, 310-pound graduate student, Christo Kelly. The Wilmette, Illinois native is in his second season with the Tar Heels following five years at Holy Cross.
Kelly committed to Holy Cross out of Loyola Academy. During his extended time with the program, he made 23 starts across 36 games played. Notably, Kelly did not appear in any games and redshirted the 2020 season. In his final season at Holy Cross, the center was named to the 2024 First Team All-Patriot League.
Last season, Kelly transferred to UNC, where he appeared in two games before suffering a season-ending injury. Now healthy, the grad student has been one of the more consistent pieces of this line. He has solid prior experience from his time at Holy Cross, although he is still limited against FBS competition. Kelly has flashed as a good run blocker and has been hailed as a reliable presence with good leadership and communication skills. His pass protection has been a bit inconsistent after allowing a sack and two pressures in week one against TCU.
RG Aidan Banfield
Holding down the right guard position this season has been Aidan Banfield. The 6-3, 300-pound junior is in his third year at UNC after committing to the Heels as a three-star recruit out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia.
Prior to 2026, Banfield had made 15 starts across 16 games played at UNC. Unfortunately, the Buford native had his 2025 campaign cut short due to a season-ending lower-body injury after five games played.
Banfield provides this line with a proven, reliable starter that excels as a pass blocker. He plays with good size and physicality; however, his run blocking has lagged behind his pass protection.
RT Jacqawn McRoy
Another mammoth tackle, the 6-8, 330-pound McRoy stars on the right side of this line. The redshirt sophomore is in his first season at UNC following previous one-year stints at Oregon and Arkansas.
A former four-star Under Armour All-American, McRoy first committed to Oregon out of Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama. He spent one season with the Ducks, where he did not play and redshirted the year.
Last season, McRoy transferred to Arkansas under OC Bobby Petrino. The Alabama native made one start across six appearances with the Razorbacks, but Notre Dame fans may remember his touchdown scored against the Irish in last year’s ND-Arkansas matchup.
Rushing Touchdown vs Notre Dame (2025)
McRoy has elite size and physicality. He has been solid in pass protection and has good upside as he reunited with Petrino this offseason. The former Razorback’s run blocking has lagged behind his pass protection, a potential flaw of his huge frame. Overall, he is still fairly limited in terms of his previous experience.
Others to watch: OG Cristian Alavarez
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