North Carolina loses three more players, including early season offensive line starter

Three more players have left the North Carolina football team amid a tumultuous start to head coach Bill Belichick’s first season with the Tar Heels.

Offensive lineman William Boone, pass rusher Pryce Yates and tight end Yasir Smith are no longer with the team, a team spokesman confirmed to WRAL on Tuesday. Inside Carolina first reported the departures.

None of the players are listed on the team’s online roster. UNC (2-4 overall, 0-2 in the ACC) hosts No. 16 Virginia on Saturday.

Boone, a transfer from Prairie View A&M, started the first three games of the season. His agent posted on social media that Boone “will be pursuing a medical redshirt in hopes of having 2 years of eligibility remaining. He should be 100% for spring practice.”

 Yates, a transfer from UConn, played in just one game for the Tar Heels after dealing with an injury in the early part of the season. Smith, a freshman tight end, didn’t appear in a game for the Tar Heels.

Previously, senior running back Caleb Hood announced his retirement after UNC’s fifth game of the season. Hood scored the first touchdown of the Belichick era in the season opener against TCU.

Wide receivers Paul Billups and Aziah Johnson and offensive tackle Treyvon Green also left the program earlier this season.

The most recent departures come two weeks after a WRAL report that players brought in by Belichick were receiving preferential treatment over those who were with the program before Belichick’s arrival. One assistant coach was suspended for NCAA violations tied to the report, though cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins is back with the team.

Several sources who spoke to WRAL News, including high school football coaches, former UNC players and an NIL agent, said Belichick’s demeanor when it comes to recruiting and dealing with former players is starting to sour people from the program.

While the program has faced scrutiny and a call for an independent review for student leadership, Belichick refuted a report that he was looking for an early exit from the program and said he felt the reports of a divide in the locker room were unfounded.

“I don’t know what kind of perspective some of those people have that are saying that, but I think anybody that’s around it on a daily basis would see that,” Belichick said in an Oct. 13 press conference. 

“I’m sure the players all see the improvement they’re making.”