Former South Alabama QB Gio Lopez undertakes to North Carolina

Former Southern Alabama quarterback Gio LopezOne of the best passers -by on the spring transmission portal, committed to North Carolina, Announced on social media Thursday.

Lopez, which is available in the ranking of the ESPN portals, will land as an immediate frontner to claim the initial role of TAR Heels for the first year of coach Bill Belichick. According to sources, Lopez joins the North Carolina on a two -year contract of $ 4 million with three seasons the remaining competence after the Freakut Redshirt Freshman season in 2024.

Lopez entered the transmission portal at the beginning of this week two days after the spring camp with South Alabama. Its commitment formally closes the lengthy search for TAR Heels for Quarterback because Belichick took over the program in December.

Sources said Lopez initially considered leaving South Alabama during the Winter Transfer Portal window before decided to stay with the program. He stayed with Jaguars through spring training sessions and on Saturday he participated in the spring show of the program, but the transmission interest from the main programs Power 4 persisted in the lead to the spring window.

Sources said ESPN that Georgia and Lsu This spring, he had a discussion with Lopez, each with regard to the fact that Lopez gives a chance to compete for the initial place in 2026. According to sources in North Carolina, she started contact with Lopez camp and continued his interviews until Thursday when Lopez completed his agreement with CEO Michael Lombardi and Tar Heels.

North Carolina entered the first spring camp Belichick with three quarterbacks on the list – Max Johnson, Ryan browne and an incoming newcomer Bryce Baker.

Browne, former Purdue Transfer, entered the portal at the beginning of this week. Baker, ESPN No. 200 recruitment in cycle 2025, remains with Tar Heels after confirmed his commitment after the departure of coach Mack Brown. Johnson, a 23-game starter, returns in 2025 after suffering from the leg injury ending season in the 1st week last fall.

Lopez appeared as one of the most productive groups of 5 quarterbacks in the nation last fall, when last autumn, when last autumn, when he led South Alabama in the first season coach Major Applewhite appeared as one of the most productive groups of 5 Quartacks in the nation as one of the most productive groups of 5 Quartacks. Lopez completed 66% of his passages for 2,559 yards and 18 landings in 11 starts, added another 465 rushing yards and seven landings on the ground.

On Trumedia, Lopez’s 8.20 yards per pass in 2024, he placed 26th. Last autumn, he also completed 38 passages of 20 or more yards, more than 27 returning passers -by around the country in 2025.