When Bill Belichick and Michael Lombardi arrived at UNC, they made it clear where North Carolina’s turnaround must begin: from the lines out. It’s been a common theme the two have shared throughout the offseason to help the Tar Heels establish their identity in the trenches.

UNC enters the season with 70 players joining the program. They have fostered competition on the line in preseason practices as the Tar Heels inch closer to their September 1 season opener.

“We kind of welcome competition,” offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens said. “Because we think you got two guys competing at guard, three guys competing at guard, whatever it may be, it’s going to make all three of those guys better. Or it shows itself, and you show who ends up being the starter or second team.”

Key among these newcomers is redshirt senior Daniel King, a 4-star transfer who entered the portal with one year of eligibility left and quickly committed to UNC. King is rated as the No. 8 offensive tackle and the No. 54 overall transfer in the country.  

Another standout transfer is redshirt senior lineman Christo Kelly, who became the first commit to UNC under Belichick in December. At Holy Cross, Kelly started all 12 games in 2024 and captained an offensive line that surrendered only 14 sacks last season. With an average of 1.08 sacks per game — 11th best nationally and the lowest in the Patriot League — Kelly received a First Team All-Patriot League selection. 

First-year Trey Blue, a three-star offensive lineman from Cary, also joins the UNC offensive line this year. Rated 54th for his position in the nation and 24th in North Carolina, Blue committed to UNC early, turning down offers from Charlotte and Maryland.

While new transfers are making their presence felt on the offensive line, veterans are stepping up as well, bringing energy and leadership to the group. 

Among these is redshirt senior lineman Austin Blaske, who is returning to Chapel Hill for his final year following a 2024 season where he started in 12 games and posted an 84.6 pass blocking rate. Although he injured his foot in fall camp, Blaske should join the line during the season. Alongside Blaske on the interior is sophomore lineman Aidan Banfield, who emerged last season as a reliable piece up front. Starting in 11 games during his debut season, he earned the Football Writer Association of America Freshman All American Honors — making him the first lineman in UNC program history to claim the award.

First-year Peter Pesansky, who, according to Tar Heel 247 recently switched from the defensive to the offensive line, was the nation’s 24th-best defensive lineman coming out of high school.