North Carolina

2025 Clemson Opponent Portal Tracker: North Carolina Tar Heels

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2025

Press Room

2025 Clemson Opponent Portal Tracker: North Carolina Tar Heels

Dabo Swinney vs. Bill Belichick.

When Clemson travels to Chapel Hill on October 4, it will be one of the more anticipated matchups of the season.

The game will represent only the second time in college football history that a head coach with multiple FBS national championships will face another head coach with multiple Super Bowl titles.

The Tigers lead the all-time series 40-19-1 and have won six straight over the Tar Heels. Clemson’s last loss to North Carolina came in 2010 in Chapel Hill.

Today, The Clemson Insider continues its series looking at each of the Tigers’ 2025 opponents and the moves each has made in the transfer portal. Players lost, as well as players added.

There will be a lot of roster turnover in Belichick’s first season and the former NFL head coach has been active in the portal. Several players followed his son, Steve Belichick, from Washington to Chapel Hill. Belichick was the defensive coordinator with the Huskies in 2024.

North Carolina Portal Additions

OL Christo Kelly (Holy Cross): Kelly started 22 games over the last two seasons. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder was named to the All-Patriot League Football First Team after logging 778 snaps as the starting center and team captain in 2024. A grad transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.
DL Melkart Abou-Jaoude (Deleware): Had his best season as a junior last year, totaling 24 tackles, with 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 11 starts for the Blue Hens, earning all-conference honorable mention honors. He began his college career as a walk-on and has two years of eligibility remaining.
TE Connor Cox (South Carolina): Appeared in four games with the Gamecocks in 2024, then sat out the rest of the season to preserve the year of eligibility. His only catch over his two years at SC was a nine-yard touchdown against Akron last season. Has three years left.
K Adam Samaha (Michigan): Kicked one extra point at Michigan. Has three years of eligibility left.
DL CJ Mims (E. Carolina): Originally committed to Wake Forest after entering the portal before flipping to the Heels. Over his two seasons at ECU, Mims recorded 37 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Has two seasons left.
OL Miles McVay (Alabama): A Top 200 talent in the 2023 recruiting class. McVay redshirted his first season and appeared in five games at tackle, logging 94 snaps in 2024. Three seasons left to play.
QB Ryan Browne (Purdue): Was a 3-star in the 2023 class and redshirted his first season. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, appeared in eight games for Purdue this past season with two starts. On the season, he threw for 532 yards and four touchdowns with a pair of interceptions while completing 56.6 percent of his passes. He also gained 241 yards on the ground. Has three years of eligibility remaining.
OL Chad Lindberg (Rice): Former Top 150 recruit who signed with Georgia out of high school. Over four years with the Bulldogs, he played in 20 games. A year ago, Lindberg transferred to Rice. He started all 11 games he appeared in for the Owls. Seven of those starts were at left guard and the rest were at left tackle.
WR Aziah Johnson (Michigan State): As a red-shirt freshman this past season, he caught 16 passes for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Had just one drop in 25 targets. Has three years of eligibility remaining.
LB Khmori House (Washington): Last season as a freshman, House tallied 317 snaps across 12 games for Washington, recording 35 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Three years left to play.
OL William Boone (Prarie View A&M): Appeared in a dozen games for Prairie View A&M last season at right tackle. In a team-high 782 snaps, Boone did not allow a sack in 2024. He has two years remaining of eligibility. His prior collegiate stops were at Kilgore College (2023) and the New Mexico Military Institute (2022).
DB Gavin Gibson (E. Carolina): Spent his first two seasons at Maryland before transferring to ECU last year. Started 10 games with the Pirates (five at cornerback and five at strong safety), recording three interceptions (returning one for a touchdown), three pass breakups, 52 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
DL Pryce Yates (UConn): Injury limited him to just seven games in 2024 but still finished with 21 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. In the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28, Yates helped UConn beat UNC, 27-14, with six tackles, including three for a loss and a sack. Has one season of eligibility left.
DB Coleman Bryson (Minnesota): Compiled 54 tackles in three years with the Golden Gophers. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
WR Jason Robinson (Washington): The 5-foot-10, 151-pound wideout didn’t appear in a game while redshirting in 2024. Will have four years of eligibility remaining.
DB Peyton Waters (Washington): As a true freshman, the 6-foot-1, 182-pound Waters appeared in all 13 games for Washington this past season, recording five tackles. Waters played three games on defense at safety, but the majority of the action he saw was on special teams. Has three seasons left.
DB Thaddeus Dixon (Washington): Over the past two seasons, Dixon appeared in 27 of Washington’s 28 games with 13 starts (12 this season). He concluded his career with 69 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. Has one year of eligibility left.
OL Daniel King (Troy): King started all 40 of his games at Troy. He is a two-time All-Sun Belt Second Team honoree. King played 789 snaps in 2024 while playing two positions on the line — right guard the first half of the season, before moving to right tackle. Last season he allowed one sack in 408 pass-blocking plays and was the fourth-rated run blocker in the league.

North Carolina Portal Departures

OL Eli Sutton (to Austin Peay)
RB Jordan Louie (TBD)
OL Zach Greenburg (James Madison)
QB Conner Harrell (Charlotte)
OL Andrew Rosinski (Georgia Tech)
DL Travis Shaw (Texas)
OL Howard Sampson (Texas Tech)
K Noah Burnette (Notre Dame)
OL Jakiah Leftwich (UCF)
DB Tyrane Stewart (TBD)
OL Malik McGowan (UNLV)
QB Michael Merdinger (Liberty)
LB Ashton Woods (West Virginia)
LB Caleb LaVallee (Florida State)
DB Deandre Boykins (TBD)
QB Jacolby Criswell (ETSU)

Boston College Portal Tracker

Syracuse Portal Tracker

SMU Portal Tracker

LSU Portal Tracker

Duke Portal Tracker

Georgia Tech Portal Tracker

Photo courtesy of Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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North Carolina

Ex-senator’s wife, 75, found escaped inmate cowering in the backseat of her car: ‘I was shaking like a leaf’

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Ex-senator’s wife, 75, found escaped inmate cowering in the backseat of her car: ‘I was shaking like a leaf’

The 75-year-old wife of a former Republican North Carolina senator had a frightening start to her week when she discovered an escaped inmate hiding in the backseat of her car, according to local reports.

Marie Steinburg, married to ex-State Senator Bob Steinberg, left her Edenton home for work around 7:30 a.m. Monday when she unlocked her Honda Civic and found 23-year-old accused thief Charles Babb cowering in the backseat, with a blanket wrapped around his orange prison jumpsuit.

“I headed out the door, and I clicked the unlock, and it must have scared the guy, because the next thing I know, I saw something moving in my backseat,” the startled senior said, WTKR reported.

“I kept backing up little by little by little because I thought, I don’t know what this man is going to do.”

Babb — who police said escaped from the Chowan County Detention Center Sunday night — then jumped out the car.

While residents were urged to lock their doors and windows, stay inside, and avoid interacting with the armed and dangerous fugitive, Steinburg said she remained calm and began talking to him.

“I figured if I was nice to him, he’d be nice to me,” she said, WAVY reported.

“I just figured that was the thing to do because I didn’t know if he was really dangerous,” Steinburg explained, adding that “he kept saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so cold.’ And, you know, I was startled and I know he was too. And I said, “Well, hey, let me go in and get you a coat.’”

Steinburg said Babb then turned and raced down the driveway — reportedly leaving behind his prison sandals and a face mask — as she ran inside, called out to her husband, and dialed 911.

“I got in as fast as I could,” she recalled, according to WTKR.

“I was shaking like a leaf, and I could barely get the key in the lock, but I did.”

The Edenton Police Department apprehended the convict nearby shortly thereafter.

Police did not give details on how Babb escaped jail, other than to say he used a make-shift edged weapon. He was being held on felony breaking and entering and larceny charges before his breakout, according to the Daily Advance.

Her husband, who advocated for prison reform during his 10 years in office, praised his wife for how she handled the terrifying situation, believing a higher power was looking out for them.

The couple added that they will never forget to lock their car doors again.

“Oh let me tell you, if I don’t, [my husband] is gonna,” a relieved Steinberg said.

“It’s one of those things that we learned.”

The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has since launched an investigation into Babb’s jailbreak.

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North Carolina

How Seth Trimble’s Injury Unlocked North Carolina’s Potential

Published

13 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

How Seth Trimble’s Injury Unlocked North Carolina’s Potential

Injuries are an unfortunate element in sports, and that has been relevant for the North Carolina Tar Heels this season. Now, most of the time, those injuries occur in games or practices. That was not the case for Seth Trimble, who suffered a broken arm in a workout accident.

The senior guard has not played since the second game of the season against the Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 7.

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Seth Trimble (7) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Although the injury forced the Tar Heels’ coaching staff and players into an uncomfortable situation, the team has responded, winning six of seven games in Trimble’s absence. You never want to see a player suffer a significant injury, but in this particular case, it has opened the door to possibilities that North Carolina may not have been aware of if this never transpired.

Here is why Trimble’s injury has not been doom and gloom for the Tar Heels in this early portion of the season.

Unlocking a Potential Star Off the Bench

Dec 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with guard Derek Dixon (3) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Before the last two games, North Carolina’s backcourt situation appeared to be a significant shortcoming for the Tar Heels. Because of that, Davis was forced to expand his bench with the hopes of unlocking the offense while supplying consistent production.

That has elevated freshman guard Derek Dixon’s role in the rotation, which has proven to be pivotal in North Carolina’s wins in the last two games against Kentucky and Georgetown. During that span, the 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 11.5 points while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

With the rotation becoming solidified in recent weeks, head coach Hubert Davis explained how the backcourt has taken shape following the Tar Heels’ win over Georgetown on Sunday.

Dec 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with guard Kyan Evans (0) and guard Derek Dixon (3) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“I really like [Kyan] and Derek [Dixon] on the floor at the same time,” Davis continued. “I’ve always said that I love multiple ball handlers. You can’t take us out of our offense. And with those two, with the way that Georgetown was switching defenses, we always had somebody that can handle the basketball and get us into a set and get us organized.”

“So, it’s trying to figure out rotations,” Davis continued. “And then when Seth comes back, it’s finding it again. Different combinations is one of the things that I was excited about coming into the season. That is the versatility that we have, that we can throw out a number of different rotations out there that can be really effective on the floor.”

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Seasonal flu virus numbers increase across NC; NCDHHS shares tips to stay healthy this season

Published

1 day ago

December 10, 2025

Press Room

Seasonal flu virus numbers increase across NC; NCDHHS shares tips to stay healthy this season

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Flu-related illnesses and deaths have been rising across the state, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Three flu-related deaths were reported within the past week, bringing the number of deaths to nine this season.

North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season; this is the highest number of statewide flu deaths ever recorded in NC.

So far, no flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina.

SEE ALSO | Flu concerns grow in US as UK sees more cases among kids

Influenza A (H3N2) virus strain known as subclade K has spread worldwide, and it is the most often reported flu virus so far this season in the U.S.

State Epidemiologist Zack Moore says the flu is spreading quickly in our state and says flu vaccines are the most important tool to protect yourself from illness or death.

As holiday travel and gatherings ramp up, NCDHHS shares the following tips to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy:

Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based sanitizers can help prevent the spread of some respiratory viruses.

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are often touched.

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away into the trash.

Stay home when sick: Avoid going out if you can and take steps to prevent spreading the flu to others in your home, such as using a separate bathroom, not sharing cups, towels and utensils, and wearing a mask when around other people.

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