North Carolina Quarterback Is Transferring After Bill Belichick's Hire
Today at 07:05 PM
Not everyone already at North Carolina when Bill Belichick took over was going to stick around to see what it's like to learn under the eight-time Super Bowl champion.
Unfortunately for Belichick, one player who isn't sticking around just so happens to be his most experienced quarterback.
According to ESPN, starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Criswell played in 12 games for the Tar Heels in 2024, completing 58.1-percent of his passes for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions while adding another three scores on the ground.
"Veteran UNC/Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell tells ESPN he's entering the NCAA transfer portal. He's started 10 games over his two different stints at UNC. He'll have one year of eligibility remaining," ESPN's Pete Thamel reported.
Veteran UNC/Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell tells ESPN he's entering the NCAA transfer portal. He's started 10 games over his two different stints at UNC. He'll have one year of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/35mg9KN4mY
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 15, 2025
This is actually the second time that Criswell has left the Tar Heels. He previously played for North Carolina from 2020 to 2022, playing sparingly before transferring to Arkansas for the 2023 season. But after limited playing time for Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks, he returned for this past season.
Unfortunately, Criswell was the starting quarterback for a number of the team's more humiliating losses, such as their defeat against James Madison, where he threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort.
Criswell may not be elite, but not many players available have as much starting experience as he does.
Granted, Belichick might already have the exact quarterbacks that he wants with Ryan Browne coming over via a transfer from Purdue and four-star Bryce Baker signing his letter of intent to play at Chapel Hill.
Belichick is still assembling his staff but has the two core assistant roles filled with NFL and college veteran Freddie Kitchens working as his offensive coordinator while his son Stephen Belichick runs the defense.
The new era of North Carolina football begins on August 30 when they host TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Related: Mother Of North Carolina Quarterback Had Heartbreaking Reaction To Son's Injury
