Seth Trimble Returns, UNC Football's New OC, 5-Star Forward CJ Rosser Visits, 4-Star Safety Commits
Plus: Tar Heels overseas updates, Smith Center discussions intensify, Women's Basketball blowouts, Football and Women's Soccer postseason accolades
There’s a lot to cover before we log off for the holidays, so let’s dive in. Seth Trimble is back, UNC Football landed a new offensive coordinator and a 4-star safety, 5-star forward CJ Rosser paid a visit, Smith Center discussions are intensifying, Women’s Basketball keeps blowing out opponents, and more. On to the updates…
🏈 Football
UNC Football and coach Bobby Petrino are reportedly finalizing a deal to make the former Arkansas and Louisville head coach the Tar Heels’ new offensive coordinator.
Petrino has a history of turning around offenses quickly. This past season, Petrino’s Arkansas team climbed all the way to fourth in the SEC in total offense, racking up 455 yards and 33 points per game. Petrino may come with some personal baggage, but no one questions his ability to build a high-powered offense.
Congratulations to North Carolina defensive lineman Leroy Jackson, who was named Second Team Freshman All-American by The Athletic.
A couple of Tar Heel defensive backs and NFL Draft hopefuls have been invited to participate in senior showcase games. Cornerback Thad Dixon has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., while fellow secondary mate Gavin Gibson is headed to Hawaii for the Hula Bowl in January.
Three other players also ended their Carolina Football careers this past week, as defensive back Malcolm Ziglar, linebacker Tyler Thompson, and quarterback Bryce Baker announced plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2.
Ziglar played the bulk of his time on special teams this past season, while Thompson was one of UNC’s top pass rushers and will be sorely missed. Baker was brought in as Bill Belichick’s prized recruit in the 2025 class but did not play at all his freshman season.
That brings the total number of players entering the transfer portal to 22 so far. Inside Carolina has the complete list of transfers.
In the NFL, Drake Maye continues to string together MVP-caliber performances. His first career 300-yard passing game helped New England rally past the Ravens on Sunday night to clinch a playoff berth. Maye will also be facing a former teammate in practices going forward, as former UNC linebacker Amari Gainer was added to the Patriots’ practice squad last week. Here’s more on Tar Heels in the NFL from R.L. Bynum at Tar Heel Tribune.
🏈 Football Recruiting
UNC Football claimed a big win on the recruiting trail last week as Rolesville, NC 4-star safety Marquis Bryant chose to stay home and commit to the Tar Heels. Bryant is the second commitment in UNC’s 2027 football recruiting class, joining 3-star athlete Skylar Robinson from Gardena, Calif.
🏀 Basketball
Seth Trimble is back after missing more than a month due to a weight-room accident that resulted in a broken left forearm. Aside from the obvious benefit of Trimble’s defense, athleticism, and leadership, the Tar Heels benefit greatly from the added lineup flexibility his return provides.
In No. 12 UNC’s dramatic 71-70 win over Ohio State, Trimble scored 17 points, dished out the game-winning “assist” to Veesaar, and defended the Buckeyes’ best player, Bruce Thornton.
Against ECU on Monday night, Henri Veesaar did his best Dirk Nowitzki impression, making 4-of-5 3-pointers and scoring 16 points. In the post-Dean Smith era prior to Veesaar’s arrival, there had only been two 3-pointers made by a Tar Heel 7-footer. Veesaar has 15(!) 3-pointers this season alone and leads UNC in three-point percentage.
Discussions on the future of the Smith Center are in high gear. Greg Barnes at Inside Carolina details the latest developments, which include conversations between UNC administrators and former Tar Heel Basketball players on whether to renovate the Smith Center, build a new off-campus arena, or maintain the status quo.
There are no “off days” for Seth Trimble. Despite having a day off from practice, “Santa Seth” chose to blend his entrepreneurship and philanthropy by treating kids from the local Boys and Girls Clubs to a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream party. Trimble purchased the Ben & Jerry’s franchise on Franklin Street over the summer.
Fan favorite Brady Manek is playing for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association this season and still shooting the lights out, recently going 9-10 from 3-point range. Bang Bang! 💥💥
Deon Thompson is still going strong 16 years after UNC’s 2009 national championship. The former Tar Heel forward is playing this season with Kesatria Bengawan Solo of the Indonesian Basketball League.
This marks Thompson’s 16th(!) country in his professional basketball journey, having played previously in Greece, Slovenia, Germany, China, Israel, Turkey, Serbia, Spain, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, and Libya.
🏀 Basketball Recruiting
CJ Rosser, the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 basketball recruiting class, paid an unofficial visit to UNC on Monday night to watch the Tar Heels take on ECU. The Rocky Mount, NC native, who attends Southeastern Prep in Orlando, Fla., was the first player in the class to receive an offer from Hubert Davis.
🏀 Women’s Basketball
No. 16 UNC Women’s Basketball heads into the holiday break following two blowout wins over UNCW (84-34) and Charleston Southern (93-74).
It’s games like these that allow coach Courtney Banghart to develop depth by playing the younger players, and Nyla Brooks benefitted in a big way. The 5-star freshman had back-to-back career games, scoring a season-high 16 points vs. UNCW and following that up with another personal best of 19 vs. Charleston Southern.
🏅 Olympic Sports
🏑 Congratulations to Ryleigh Heck (first team), Charly Bruder (second team), Sietske Brüning (second team), and Dani Mendez (second team), who received All-America honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association last week.
⚽ UNC Men’s Soccer had three players selected in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday. Jack Sandmeyer was selected 18th overall by Chicago Fire. Dylan Kropp went 25th to Real Salt Lake. And Luca Nikolai heard his name called with the 87th selection by New York City FC.
⚽ UNC Women’s Soccer scored a major win in the transfer portal, as BYU Freshman All-America center back Izzi Stratton announced she is transferring to North Carolina.
⏪ This Week In Tar Heel History
December 18, 2008: Tyler Hansbrough scores with 7:42 to play in the first half of a 91-73 win against Evansville for his 2,292nd career point, breaking Phil Ford’s UNC scoring record.
🎂 This Week’s Tar Heel Birthdays
Happy birthday shoutouts to…
Charlie Shaffer, UNC Basketball/Tennis Team Captain, Morehead Scholar, Class President: Dec. 21 (1941-2021)
Jacob Stallings, 10-year MLB Catcher: Dec. 22 (36)
Steve Streater, All-ACC Safety and Punter, 1980 ACC Champion: Dec. 22 (1958-2009)
Alge Crumpler, 2x All-ACC & 4x NFL Pro Bowl Tight End: Dec. 23 (48)
P.J. Hairston, 2014 1st Round NBA Draft Pick: Dec. 24 (33)
Eddie Pope, National Soccer Hall of Fame, UNC Place Kicker: Dec. 24 (52)
Lenoir Chambers, UNC Basketball, Football, Tennis, Pulitzer Prize Winner: Dec. 26 (1891-1970)
🏁 Final Thoughts
Thanks again to everyone for supporting the Tar Heel Times Newsletter. I hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Please leave a comment to let me know how you’re enjoying the content, what you’d like to see more of, or anything else that’s on your mind. I truly appreciate your support.
Go Heels!
James
Compliments along with holiday wishes. I believe that your newsletter is exactly as promised and gives us some great background around Carolina happenings. Thanks, James, and very glad to support you. It's been a long time and your works keep me well-informed here in Ecuador. Have FUN out There!