Chapel Hill, N.C. – The University of North Carolina announced Monday that Billy Edwards Jr. will start at quarterback for the Tar Heels in the upcoming Week Zero game against Texas Christian University in Dublin, Ireland. The decision comes as head coach Bill Belichick, now in his second college season, looks to stabilize an offense that struggled last year.
Edwards, a former Maryland and Wisconsin quarterback, said his primary goal is to keep the offense moving forward, even if it means gaining just a single yard at a time. “One of the phrases I got taught as a younger player that kind of stuck with me is mitigating risk,” he explained. “Coach Belichick always says we can go forward only by not going backwards.”
Recent injury history
After redshirting at Wake Forest in 2021, Edwards spent three seasons at Maryland, throwing for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He transferred to Wisconsin seeking a different fit but appeared in only two games before a knee sprain in the season opener against Miami (Ohio forced him to miss two contests. He returned to face his former Terrapins program, but exited on his second series. In total, Edwards attempted just 16 passes last season.
Despite limited action, Belichick praised Edwards’ work ethic during spring practice, noting that the extra time gave the quarterback a valuable advantage in his recovery and preparation for the 2025 season.
New offensive direction
UNC’s offense will undergo a major overhaul under newly hired offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The Tar Heels finished last season with one of the nation’s lowest scoring outputs, prompting the staff to revamp the playbook. Edwards said he has been “making like 1,000 flash cards” to master Petrino’s system and ensure he knows the terminology inside and out.
“It’s kind of humbling when you come in the beginning and you get new terminology and you get a new playbook,” Edwards said. “But I find it really fun, I find it really enjoyable.”
First test against TCU
The Week Zero contest against the Horned Frogs will be the first real test of the new quarterback‑coach partnership. TCU defeated UNC 48‑14 in Belichick’s college debut last September, so the matchup carries added significance for the program.
Belichick confirmed that the decision to start Edwards was based on his consistency and readiness after a full spring regimen. “In the portal, you’re evaluating the ’24 season,” Belichick said. “That’s pretty much all you had other than that one game last year. Being here all spring was a big advantage for him.”
UNC fans will watch closely to see whether Edwards can translate his preparation into steady, risk‑averse play that moves the ball forward and helps the Tar Heels improve on last year’s offensive struggles.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
