The North Carolina Tar Heels entered the 2026 season with plenty of optimism surrounding their recruiting efforts. After bringing in several highly regarded prospects and making significant additions through the transfer portal, the program has considerably strengthened its roster.
However, not every player has benefited from the influx of talent.
The former four-star quarterback saw very limited action during the 2025 season. He appeared in only two games, completing 3 of 6 passes for 23 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
With Gio Lopez leaving the program for Wake Forest, North Carolina needed to add competition to its quarterback room. The Tar Heels responded by bringing in Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O’Neill through the transfer portal while also signing four-star freshman Travis Burgess.
Those additions have dramatically changed Newkirk’s position on the depth chart.
Rather than moving closer to a starting opportunity, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback has been pushed down to fourth on the depth chart. Edwards Jr. ultimately won the starting job, while Burgess appears to be the program’s preferred long-term option.
That leaves Newkirk facing an uphill battle for meaningful playing time.
North Carolina saw multiple quarterbacks take snaps last season, but the program is hoping for considerably more stability in 2026. If Edwards Jr. can stay healthy and perform at a high level, there may be little reason for the coaching staff to turn to Newkirk.
Why This Matters
Newkirk is unlikely to see the field in 2026 unless the Tar Heels suffer a significant run of injuries at quarterback.
While Edwards Jr. comes with some questions of his own, North Carolina now has considerably more depth at the position than it did a year ago. O’Neill provides another experienced option, while Burgess could eventually become the centerpiece of the quarterback room.
That creates an uncomfortable situation for Newkirk.
If Burgess progresses as expected, he could be in line to take over the starting role in 2027, with O’Neill potentially competing for the backup position. Newkirk could therefore find himself facing another season buried on the depth chart.
Unless circumstances change dramatically, 2026 could be a lost season for Newkirk, and a transfer-portal decision next offseason would not be surprising.
For a former four-star recruit, that’s a disappointing development—but it also illustrates just how quickly roster competition can change in the modern era of college football.
