UNC football is heading into the 2026 season with real competition across the depth chart. As fall camp continues in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is using practice time to sort through a roster that still has multiple starting roles open before the regular season begins.
The biggest storyline is how many jobs remain unsettled under head coach Bill Belichick. Rather than entering camp with every position locked down, the Tar Heels appear to be taking a longer look at who has earned first-team status and which players can push for larger roles. That should make camp one of the most important evaluation periods of the preseason.
The focus is not only on who opens the year as a starter, but also on which positions could stay under review once games begin. Strong camp performances can move a player up quickly, while inconsistent play can leave openings for challengers during the season. That kind of pressure often creates the fiercest battles on a roster.
For North Carolina, the weeks ahead will help define both the starting lineup and the team’s overall identity. With Belichick and the staff still assessing talent, the Tar Heels look set for a preseason where competition will shape key positions all the way into the regular season.
