​North Carolina didn’t hire Bill Belichick to ease quietly into a rebuild after a 4–8 season. The Hall of Fame coach arrived in Chapel Hill with an NFL résumé and an urgent mandate: fix a program that has drifted and restore an edge on both sides of the ball.To jump-start that process, Belichick and his staff attacked the transfer portal with a clear purpose. Instead of chasing flash, they targeted proven production and positional versatility, loading up on veterans who have already handled Power Four workloads and can stabilize key spots immediately in 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe biggest changes will come on offense, where Belichick turned the keys to veteran coordinator Bobby Petrino and rebuilt the skill spots through the portal. On defense, the scheme remains similar, but the Tar Heels had to dig deep for help at linebacker and add depth pieces across the front.Here are five players from the transfer portal who could help UNC immediately.Oct 18, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) warms up before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesEdwards began his career at Wake Forest before spending three seasons at Maryland and one at Wisconsin. He won the Badgers’ starting job but injured his knee in the opener and appeared in only one more game, briefly starting against his former team, Maryland, before aggravating the injury.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt Maryland, he started 11 games in 2024, throwing for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions. With his Power Four experience and the trust offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has in him, Edwards is positioned for a strong season in Chapel Hill.Wisconsin wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) finds running room after a reception during the fourth quarter of their game Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Illinois 27-10.Kekahuna brings both experience and versatility to the Tar Heels. He caught 26 passes for 211 yards last season, added 14 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown, and totaled 142 yards on kick returns. For his career, he has 55 receptions for 614 yards and two touchdowns.Unlike many portal receivers, Kekahuna already has chemistry with quarterback Billy Edwards after playing with him at Wisconsin.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOhio State Buckeyes tight end Jelani Thurman (15) runs past Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kaj Sanders (5) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025. Ohio State won 42-9.Thurman spent three seasons with Ohio State, catching 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He committed to North Carolina as a top 120 recruit in the nation.Thurman played in a pretty loaded offense at Ohio State, so the opportunities were tough to come by. But now, he has the chance to come in and make an im