UNC Basketball Explores Wild New Portal Window, Football Opens Camp Amid Investigation
Plus: Women’s Basketball headed to Paris and Disney World, Diamond Heels cash in on MLB Draft, and Preseason All-ACC honors start rolling in.
🏈 Football
UNC Football training camp opened Thursday under a cloud. Michael Lombardi, the Tar Heels’ high-profile, high-paid general manager and longtime right hand to Bill Belichick, was placed on paid administrative leave Monday after a former UNC employee filed an HR complaint against him. AD Steve Newmark said the office of university counsel is now leading the investigation and that the school intends to let that process play out.
Complicating things further, Tar Heel Tribune relayed a report that the College Sports Commission — the body policing revenue sharing, NIL, and roster limits nationally — is separately looking into the football program.
Lombardi’s attorney released a statement denying wrongdoing and pushing back on what he called baseless characterizations of his client.
On the field, the Tar Heels held practice for the first time Thursday, preparing for the Aug. 29 opener against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino liked what he saw on Day 1. The starting job is still up for grabs among Billy Edwards, Miles O’Neill (who got first-team reps), Au’Tori Newkirk, and freshman Travis Burgess, who reportedly impressed early.
Petrino sounded more settled about the offensive line, where having every projected starter on campus for spring practice — unlike a year ago — has him optimistic about continuity.
At running back, Benjamin Hall has emerged as a leader heading into year two, and special teams got a notable staff addition in Brandon Bolden, a former Patriots special-teamer under Belichick now assisting in camp. UNC enters the season picked 15th in the preseason ACC media poll.
Tar Heels around the NFL
30 former UNC football players are in NFL training camps this summer chasing 53-man roster spots.
Colts receiver Josh Downs was named one of 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2026 NFL season, with a bigger role expected.
Patriots QB Drake Maye is still feeling the sting of last season’s Super Bowl loss to Seattle, with a Week 1 rematch on deck.
🏀 Basketball, Recruiting, and Transfer Portal
Court ruling reopens eligibility, and UNC pounces on two experienced bigs
A federal judge in Colorado handed college basketball a jolt Friday, granting a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare every member of the high school Class of 2022 who used up four seasons this spring eligible for a fifth season — and reopening the transfer portal from Aug. 3–10 for anyone it affects.
Michael Malone was obviously prepared for this ruling…
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