Belichick and the Tar Heels chose pursuing Lopez over former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is also in the transfer portal. Following his commitment to North Carolina, Lopez sent out a five-word message to the team and Belichick on social media. "Excited and grateful, go Heels!" the post read.

The Bill Belichick-led North Carolina Tar Heels made their first big splash of the spring in the transfer portal by adding former South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez to their quarterback