CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) 鈥� Billy Edwards Jr. figures his job is just to keep North Carolina鈥檚 offense consistently moving forward, even if it’s just one yard at a time. That approach explains the former Maryland and Wisconsin quarterback’s mindset as the Tar Heels’ starter .
鈥淥ne of the phrases I got taught as a younger player that kind of stuck with me is mitigating risk,鈥� Edwards said Monday. 鈥淟ike coach Belichick always says: 鈥橶e can go forward, and the only way we can go forward is by not going backwards.鈥�
Belichick named Edwards as his starting quarterback last Friday for this weekend鈥檚 Week Zero game , which will mark his return from an injury-shortened year with the Badgers.
Edwards started his career with a redshirt season at Wake Forest in 2021 before playing three seasons at Maryland, where he thew for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He transferred to Wisconsin last year looking for 鈥渁 different fit,鈥� only to appear in just two games.
Edwards in the opener against Miami (Ohio) and missed two games. He then returned to play against his former Terrapins program, .
Edwards threw just 16 passes last season, then carried his focus on consistency into his recovery.
鈥淚n the portal, you鈥檙e evaluating the 鈥�24 season,鈥� Belichick said Monday. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 pretty much all you had other than that one game last year. But being here all spring was a big advantage for him.鈥�
Edwards will be at the forefront of UNC鈥檚 offensive overhaul with the hiring of new coordinator Bobby Petrino after the Tar Heels fielded one of the nation鈥檚 worst offenses in Belichick鈥檚 debut season last year. Edwards said he leaned into 鈥渕aking like 1,000 flash cards鈥� to study Petrino鈥檚 offense and make sure he had the playbook down pat.
The first quiz comes Saturday against the Horned Frogs, last September.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of humbling when you come in the beginning and you get new terminology and you get a new playbook,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淏ut I find it really fun, I find it really enjoyable.鈥�
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