Gio Lopez remembers the spring transfer portal window feeling a bit hectic.
A standout second-year passer for South Alabama, Lopez seemed primed to be one of the top overall players in the Group of Five heading into his redshirt sophomore season. Then, suddenly, he announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on April 14.
Three days later — really minutes later is when the news began to break — Lopez announced his intention to transfer to North Carolina and play for Bill Belichick.
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“It was a quick turnaround,” Lopez told CBS Sports at the Manning Passing Academy in June.
“It was one of those situations where I hit the portal and UNC hit me up right as I hit the portal. I had a good opportunity arise. It was all fun.”
The specifics of the timing aside, Lopez emerged this spring as Belichick’s hand-picked quarterback for the 2025 season. Others were in contention to be that guy at different points. The Tar Heels made a big push for new Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. UNC also flirted with now Sacramento State quarterback Jaden Rashada but ultimately opted to stick with just Lopez as a transfer quarterback take.
It’s easy to understand what the Tar Heels liked in their likely new QB1.
Lopez emerged as a dynamic…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/handpicked-by-bill-belichick-north-carolina-qb-gio-lopez-embraces-challenge-of-living-up-to-expectations/
Author : Chris Hummer
Publish date : 2025-07-22 15:19:00
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