The University of North Carolina enters the 2025 football season with one of its most intriguing rosters in recent memory. After years of building under head coach Mack Brown until 2024 and then Bill Belichick, the Tar Heels now stand on the edge of national relevance, with a mix of experienced leaders and emerging stars ready to carry the banner in Chapel Hill.
This season isn’t just about individual performances; it’s about unlocking the full potential of a program capable of contending for the ACC crown. While many moving parts will determine UNC’s success, four key players stand out as the heartbeat of this campaign.
Whether you’re tracking preseason projections or analyzing depth chart battles, these are the names every Tar Heel fan should know.
Max Johnson: Quarterback
Max Johnson arrives in Chapel Hill as a seasoned veteran with SEC battle scars and a reputation for toughness. The LSU and Texas A&M transfer brings a wealth of experience to a Tar Heel offense searching for leadership and stability at the quarterback position.
Johnson isn’t just a placeholder; he’s a field general with a high football IQ, capable of elevating the offense with his decision-making and poise. At 6’5″, Johnson offers an ideal size for the position and displays a calm pocket presence. He’s not the flashiest athlete, but he’s efficient and accurate, especially in intermediate routes.
His biggest strength lies in his ability to read defenses and adjust pre-snap, something that should thrive in Freddie Kitchens’ system, which leans heavily on timing and execution.
What sets Johnson apart is his composure in hostile environments. He’s already played and won in some of the loudest stadiums in college football. That kind of experience is invaluable for a UNC team with tough road tests in 2025.
If Johnson can stay healthy and build quick chemistry with other key players, he gives North Carolina a legitimate shot at contending in the ACC.
Caleb Hood: Running Back
Caleb Hood is one of the most versatile and quietly impactful players on the Tar Heels roster. Originally recruited as a quarterback, Hood has transitioned into a powerful, downhill running back who brings toughness, field vision, and adaptability to the offense.
In 2025, he steps into a more prominent role in the UNC backfield, with expectations to be both a stabilizer and a playmaker. Hood runs with physicality and balance, often initiating contact and finishing runs with authority. At 6’1″ and over 220 pounds, he’s built for inside-zone and power schemes, but he also possesses enough agility to be effective on the perimeter.
His background as a quarterback gives him a unique understanding of play development and defensive tendencies, making him a trusted option in pass protection and screen packages.
While others may get the headlines, Hood provides the kind of blue-collar production that fuels championship drives. He’s dependable in short-yardage situations and capable of wearing down defenses over four quarters.
If Hood stays healthy and continues to improve as a dual-threat back, he could become one of UNC’s most valuable offensive assets in the 2025 NCAAF season.
Paul Billups II: Wide Receiver
Paul Billups II enters the 2025 season as a rising star in UNC’s receiving corps. His breakout potential could dramatically shape the Tar Heels’ offensive ceiling. At 6’2″ and 205 pounds, Billups offers the size, athleticism, and route-running polish that coaches covet in a No. 1 target. After flashes of big-play ability in 2024, he’s poised to take center stage.
Billups excels at creating separation with crisp routes and deceptive speed. His hands are reliable in traffic. He’s especially dangerous after the catch, using physicality and vision to rack up yards. As Max Johnson settles into the quarterback role, Billups is expected to be a go-to option on third downs and in the red zone.
What makes Billups especially valuable is his versatility; he can line up outside or in the slot, stretch the field vertically, or work underneath to move the chains. His football IQ and work ethic have earned the trust of the coaching staff, and his performance in both spring and fall camps has generated internal buzz.
If Billups capitalizes on his expanded role, he could emerge as one of the top receivers in the ACC by season’s end.
Why UNC Football Matters to the Identity of North Carolina
UNC football is more than just a seasonal distraction in the state; it’s a cornerstone of North Carolina’s sporting identity. While basketball may dominate headlines in the winter, come fall, Kenan Memorial Stadium becomes a rallying point for fans across the state. Tar Heel blue isn’t just a color. It’s a culture rooted in tradition, pride, and a hopeful future.
That pride is also reflected in national conversations around the North Carolina Tar Heels odds for 2025. Sportsbooks and analysts alike view UNC as a high-upside program, especially when key position groups click. With the right players stepping up, the Tar Heels have the tools to challenge for the ACC title and make noise on the national stage.
From Asheville to Wilmington, and from Charlotte to Chapel Hill, UNC football continues to play a defining role in shaping North Carolina’s sports landscape. The 2025 season could be a significant turning point.
The Offensive Core That Could Change UNC’s Course
Together, this trio forms the foundation of a UNC offense. They are capable of contending, not just competing, in the ACC.
If they remain healthy and execute to their potential, the Tar Heels could exceed expectations and turn preseason optimism into postseason reality.
