The North Carolina Tar Heels fired Mack Brown. However, this could have a ripple effect on the program, with players potentially hitting the transfer portal.
Let's take a closer look at some players who could transfer from the Tar Heels after Brown's firing.
Top UNC players who could transfer
RB Omarion Hampton
If Omarion Hampton elects to return to college football instead of the 2025 NFL draft, do not be surprised to see the running back hit the transfer portal. He is coming off back-to-back solid seasons as he has 259 rushing attempts for 1,465 yards (5.7 yards per carry) with 14 touchdowns while catching 34 passes for 295 yards (8.7 yards per reception) and a touchdown.
Hampton has 31 total touchdowns in his last two seasons, making him an attractive transfer option.
DL Beau Atkinson
Getting a solid pass rusher on the defensive line is critical for a team's success on defense and that is what sophomore Beau Atkinson brings to the table. So far this season, he has posted 26 total tackles (17 solo, nine assisted) with 6.5 sacks to lead the program right now.
Do not be surprised to see interest for a player listed at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds who is able to win in the trenches to be on the move for a team with a better chance to win games consistently.
QB Max Johnson
Senior quarterback Max Johnson is available to have a redshirt after suffering a broken leg in the opening game of the regular season. He has not been able to reach the heights he had in the last few seasons, but he still has 47 touchdowns to 13 interceptions throughout his career.
Johnson is in his first year with the Tar Heels and a team could use him as a bridge quarterback after being with the LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies for two seasons each.
QB Jacolby Criswell
Senior quarterback Jacolby Criswell could return to college football for the 2025 season. Criswell has been playing well this season since he took over as the starter.
He has completed 167 of 286 (58.4%) of his passes for 2,179 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, but that includes a three-interception game.
QB Bryce Baker
The quarterback of the future for the North Carolina Tar Heels could be looking for the exit door before even stepping foot in Chapel Hill. According to On3, Baker is a four-star prospect and the 10th-ranked quarterback in his class.
Teams are already hosting him, such as the Penn State Nittany Lions, and with the departure of coach Mack Brown, it could be trouble as a lot of teams are looking for a young quarterback to mold over the next few years.
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