North Carolina
North Carolina Receives Exceptional News on Caleb Wilson
It was not long ago when in North Carolina Tar Heels, season appeared to be completely derailed. While losing to the Miami Hurricanes two days after beating the Duke Blue Devils was disappointing, the fallout after the game was much more concerning.
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who temporarily left the game with a hand injury, which was thought to be a sprained wrist, was diagnosed as a hand fracture a couple of days later.
- “University of North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is out with a fracture in his left hand, an injury he suffered in the first half of Tuesday’s game at Miami,” the university reported. “X-rays taken during the game were negative, and he returned to play in the second half vs. the Hurricanes, but additional imaging done in Chapel Hill revealed the fracture. The evaluation process is ongoing to determine the timetable for Wilson’s return.”
With no timetable for return, the Tar Heels’ aspirations moving forward suddenly became an afterthought, as North Carolina looked to be without its best player for the foreseeable future. To make matters worse, center Henri Veesaar’s status became murky, as he missed two games with an undisclosed lower extremity injury.
However, Veesaar returned to the lineup on Saturday, and the Tar Heels have won back-to-back games since then. On Monday night, the Tar Heels received more great news pertaining to Wilson’s potential return.
Wilson is Aiming to Be Back Against Rival
Ahead of North Carolina’s tilt against the Louisville Cardinals on Monday night, the former five-star recruit told ESPN’s announcers that he is expected to return for the regular season finale against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor.
The last time those two teams met, Wilson recorded 23 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block while shooting 8-of-12 from the field and playing all 40 minutes in North Carolina’s historic comeback win over Duke.
Both teams have picked up significant results since that game, and the matchup occurring as the final game of the season for both teams makes it that much better.
Significance of Wilson’s Return
Obviously, Wilson back in the fold is monumental for the Tar Heels simply because the team is better with him. Additionally, the timing of his return would be ideal, as the freshman forward could get a game under his belt before the conference tournament and NCAA tournament next month.
North Carolina could make a serious jump in seeding in March Madness if it makes a run in the ACC tournament, which would be far less likely with Wilson out. Barring a setback, the freshman forward should be back for the conference tournament and give the Tar Heels a legitimate chance of pushing for the title in the ACC.
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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