Finishing with the seventh-best offense in the ACC in 2024, UNC football will look to improve this year with the help of some experienced receivers and promising new additions. While the starting quarterback job is still up for grabs, North Carolina’s receiving core will look to bring experience and talent to the offense.
With North Carolina’s top three receiving threats gone from last year, the receiving room is wide open entering the 2025 season.
North Carolina is looking for someone to replace J.J. Jones, who was the team’s leading receiver during the 2024 season. The most likely fit is sophomore Jordan Shipp, who looks to build off his first-year campaign. Last year, Shipp played in nearly every game for the Tar Heels and ended the season with nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Entering 2025, the former four-star recruit will look to step up as UNC’s top wide receiver, fulfilling his potential to be a key part of the Tar Heel offense.
Next up at the position is redshirt senior wide receiver Kobe Paysour, who is entering his fifth season at UNC. Paysour returns to the team as the only receiver remaining who played in all 13 games for the Tar Heels in 2024. Having a reception in 11 out of 13 games and a total of 365 receiving yards, Paysour brings consistency to the room which will be important for the new look offense as they search for a new lead receiver.
The Tar Heels also added some depth with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Aziah Johnson, who transferred to UNC after two seasons at Michigan State. Johnson saw action in 12 games for the Spartans in 2024, posting 16 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns. His ability provides a potential starting option for the Tar Heels and Johnson could carve out a meaningful pass catching role this year.
Adding to the experience is junior wide receiver Chris Culliver, who looks to improve following his breakout performance the season finale against N.C. State — two receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Culliver didn’t see the field much last season with only six catches, but following his breakout performance, he will look to become a valuable contributor.
At the tight end position, UNC has large shoes to fill after losing both John Copenhaver and Bryson Nesbit to the NFL, who accounted for nearly all of the production in 2024.
Redshirt junior Jake Johnson is returning for the 2025 season. Johnson transferred to UNC in 2023 and was ranked as the fourth overall tight end in the portal according to 247Sports. Although he finished last season with only two receptions, Johnson had a stellar 2023 season with the Aggies, where he recorded 24 receptions for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson looks to repeat that kind of season as he leads a new group of tight ends. With both Copenhaver and Nesbit gone, look for Johnson to step up as North Carolina’s top tight end target.
The Tar Heels also added numerous new players through the transfer portal to add some depth to the position. Redshirt sophomore Connor Cox transferred to North Carolina and has three years of eligibility remaining. While at South Carolina, Cox appeared in nine games, recording one reception and a touchdown.