Woah! The North Carolina Tar Heels fans might be going through a riot of emotions. They now have their new HC, Bill Belichick. Yes, the same man who coached GOAT Tom Brady. Just when they might have thought that they could finally get some good night’s sleep, that’s not going to happen. Ever since Belichick stepped into the coaching shoes, the players have fallen like dominos here and there.

The stats say, that with the former New England Patriots HC’s entry in Chapel Hill, 18 players have hit the transfer portal. But the latest one came off as the biggest blow. After all, their 2800-yard QB, Jacolby Criswell has made up his mind to spread his wings outside the Tar Heels. 

Jacolby Criswell’s legacy in Chapel Hill 

Now even before Belichick, Tar Heels had a hard time with their QB drama. Entering into the 2020 season, the fans had been doubtful about their QB position. Their favorite QB Drake Maye had committed to the 2024 NFL Draft. So, they were left with two other options, Max Johnson and Conner Harrell. Going with Johnson had not been fruitful since he fell prey to an injury. That’s when Harrell took the charges but failed at it miserably. With this, the Tar Heels’ frustration got 100x. Their search for a starting quarterback started and finally, they found Criswell who back in high school threw for 2,869 yards and 27 touchdowns. But the time has come for North Carolina to bid him farewell.

Criswell’s second stint has come to an end, as he’ll wrap up his collegiate career elsewhere. As Pete Thamel tweeted on January 15, “Veteran UNC/Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell tells ESPN he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal. He’s started 10 games over his two different stints at UNC. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.” Why two different stints? The signal-caller will be remembered for warding off the QB woes by throwing for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, the Tar Heels struggle continued after losing massively to JMU. But North Carolina took down Virginia, Florida State, and Wake Forest most recently to bring themselves to an even 3-3 in ACC league play.

Criswell, the quarterback for the North Carolina Tar Heels, led the team to a 41-14 victory over Virginia where the QB completed 19 of 30 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Against Florida State, the signal caller turned heads completing 13 of 17 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. That’s how Criswell flipped Tar Heels’ luck taking them to the Fenway Bowl. There too he gave his best against the Connecticut Huskies where he completed his lone pass before exiting with a shoulder injury. 

This is how he made a gigantic return. Criswell originally joined Carolina as part of the Class of 2020. Back then he served as a backup to both Sam Howell and Drake Maye across three seasons. The signal caller then transferred to Arkansas in 2023. But after a year, in 2024, made a return to North Carolina. But what’s the reason behind his departure now? 

What’s next for Jacolby Criswell 

Well, maybe it is connected to the changes that Belichick ushers in as the new head coach for the Class of 2025. Already, he has secured the commitment of the 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker. Yes, the young chap did flirt with Penn State Nittany Lions and LSU Tigers for weeks. But finally, the standout from East Forsyth gave his words to Belichick’s program.  

Besides, Baker, there has been one more significant addition to the quarterback position. Do you remember the phenom from Purdue who carried a chip on his shoulder? Yes, we are talking about Ryan Browne who got Purdue’s offense moving. He has also transferred to the Tar Heels. With this, Criswell saw that playing time was likely not in the cards moving forward. Harell was the first one to depart North Carolina committing to Charlotte.

So, Jacolby Criswell now becomes the second signal-caller to leave Chapel Hill this offseason. Apart from carrying a strong resume himself, he now is known as the game changer. After all, he was thrown into a tough situation and for the most part, did a solid job of leading the UNC football program’s offense. So, it’s obvious that Criswell will have plenty of suitors. Now let’s see if he tries his luck staying in the ACC or chooses smaller programs where the spotlight will be solely on him.