Category: North Carolina Tar Heels

Wasabi Fenway Bowl tickets: How to buy UNC football vs UConn tickets

All you need to know about the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, where North Carolina will take on UConn on December 28th.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will wrap up the college football season playing inside of one of baseball’s most storied venues.

North Carolina will face off against UConn on Saturday, December 28th, at 11:00 a.m. at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tickets for the game are already available. At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl matchup between North Carolina and UConn cost $34.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop North Carolina vs UConn Fenway Bowl tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/0e9zx4P/”]

North Carolina finished the regular season at 6-6, turning a rough season around with a three-game winning streak over Virginia, Florida State and Wake Forest to secure bowl eligibility.

UConn, an independent program, went 8-4 this season. The Huskies played three ACC schools this year, going 0-3 against Duke, Wake Forest and Syracuse.

Get your North Carolina vs. UConn tickets now before they sell out.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop North Carolina vs UConn Fenway Bowl tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/0e9zx4P/”]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Nike releases UNC Air Zoom Pegasus 41 sneakers, how to buy the new shoes

The new 2024 Nike Air Pegasus NCAA Collection has dropped. Get your UNC shoes before they sell out.

College football is back in Chapel Hill.

UNC is ranked outside of the top 25 to start the fall which will provide motivation when they kickoff their season this weekend against Minnesota.

To celebrate the start of the college football season, Nike has released their Air Zoom Pegasus 41 NCAA Collection, and the shoes are everything we want and more.

Nike North Carolina Tar Heels Air Zoom Pegasus 41 sneakers
UNC 2024 Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 running shoes (Fanatics)

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UNC Nike shoes” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/DK5Vo2″]

These Nike Air Pegasus sneakers are unisex and you can see a size chart for both men and women here. Most importantly, they are officially on sale now, and they can be yours for just $149.99.

Nike North Carolina Tar Heels Air Zoom Pegasus 41 sneakers
UNC 2024 Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 running shoes (Fanatics)

Gear up for the 2024 college football season with the new UNC 2024 Nike Air Pegasus sneakers.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UNC Nike shoes” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/DK5Vo2″]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Tar Heels Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Vance Honeycutt officially signs with Baltimore Orioles

Vance Honeycutt interviews like a seasoned MLB veteran. Can he play like one, too?

It’s difficult to imagine anyone having a better summer than Vance Honeycutt, the former UNC baseball star who is arguably the greatest player in program history.

Way back in May and June, Honeycutt hit a pair of walk-offs to advance the Diamond Heels further in the NCAA Tournament.

Last month – on Sunday, July 14 to be exact – Honeycutt was the Baltimore Orioles’ 22nd overall (first-round) selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. He gives Baltimore yet another young power-hitting, speedy, Gold Glove-caliber outfielder in an already deep farm system.

The Orioles had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 1 to sign Honeycutt – and did so moments before the deadline.

“The Orioles agreed to an over-slot deal of $4 million with Honeycutt,” MLB.com staff wrote. The college outfielder sports some of the strongest tools in the class, but needs to cut down his strikeout rate.”

Honeycutt’s summer got even better after his lucrative signing, as he spoke to media in his first interview as a professional player.

Though he’s a young, 22-year-old rookie, I like to think Honeycutt interviewed like a pro. He just signed, so he hasn’t been assigned to one of Baltimore’s minor league affiliates yet, but I’d imagine he starts with the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds – like his former teammate Mac Horvath.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

North Carolina Athletics plans to launch NIL Collective

North Carolina Athletics plans to launch what could be a game-changing recruiting platform for NIL deals.

Over the last few years, the “Name, Image, and Likeness,” otherwise known as NIL, deals have taken the college athletics landscape by storm. Instead of distinguished programs, facilities, coaches, and academics, money has been the main discussion in recruiting ventures.

North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach, Mack Brown, noticed that UNC’s lack of NIL availability was going to lead to the loss of potential recruits and the downsizing of the talent in each program.

This dedication has led to the proposed new “Carolina NIL” which will feature a collective of NIL sponsors managed by Old Well Management. According to CBS17, the collective will “provide a one-stop shop for UNC athletes looking for NIL services.”

UNC Athletic Director had this to say about the collective. “We are committed to providing championship opportunities for our student-athletes, and consolidating and enhancing our NIL services through Carolina NIL is our next step in this new era of college athletics.”

Even head basketball coach Hubert Davis notices the importance of the NIL in present-day college athletics. The basketball program has been one of the most prestigious in the nation for decades, but Davis is still in need of NIL money to lure four or five-star talent to Chapel Hill.

It will take time to see how this collective will lead to better stars on campus, but the ceiling of potential talent has gone up with the proposition of Carolina NIL.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes, and opinions.

UNC and NFL legend Julius Peppers applauded at Hall of Fame Game Thursday night

Julius Peppers, who starred at UNC from 1999-2001 but ended his NFL career as a Hall-of-Famer, made a special appearance at the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Saturday, August 3 is going to be a special day for seven former football stars, as they’ll hear their names called during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony.

All-Pro return man Devin Hester and star wide receiver Andre Johnson, both of whom played for the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes, are two of the more recent inductees to play in an NFL game. You also have a pair of legendary defenders in linebacker Patrick Willis and edge rusher Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman and – last but not least – former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Julius Peppers, who has the fourth-most NFL sacks all-time.

Peppers held the rare distinction of being a 2-sport athlete at UNC, playing both basketball and football. The latter was his calling, though, with Peppers recording 30.5 carer sacks in Chapel Hill, being named First Team All-ACC twice and winning the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2001.

Peppers was even better as a pro. Along with his 159.5 sacks ranking fourth all-time, Peppers made the Pro Bowl nine times, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While Peppers waits to hear his name called during Saturday’s induction ceremony, he enjoyed a special moment before the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Jk0Txtc5Q/?img_index=1

It’s customary for inductees to spend the week before in Canton, Ohio – where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is – but it feels even more special to see Peppers there.

What’s even more bittersweet for Peppers, is the fact he got to walk out before his Chicago Bears played. Peppers suited up in Chicago from 2010-2013, though he spent 10 of his 17 years with the Carolina Panthers.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC football players stroll into Training Camp Sunday

Training Camp for the UNC football team officially started on Sunday, July 28. Look at how happy the players were!

A month from today, the North Carolina Tar Heels will play their first football game of the 2024 season.

UNC will head up north to Minnesota, where there’ll face the Golden Gophers for a second-consecutive season. North Carolina and Minnesota clashed for the first time ever last year, on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Kenan Stadium, when Drake Maye threw for over 400 yards in a 31-13 UNC victory.

Even with returning stars like Omarion Hampton and Kaimon Rucker, the Tar Heels are going to have a new look on both sides of the football. Conner Harrell and Max Johnson are competing for the starting quarterback gig, J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum now lead the receiving corps, plus North Carolina welcomes a new defensive coordinator in Geoff Collins.

Luckily for the Tar Heels, they’ve had a whole summer – and still have a month – to prepare for the season.

UNC took another step closer to kickoff on Sunday, as players rolled into Training Camp.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9-_Tc8OC9s/?img_index=1

By the end of Training Camp, North Carolina should have some answers to its greatest position battles. We could even see some freshman move into starting roles, such as wide receiver Jordan Shipp.

The greatest question all us Tar Heels fans have: how will this season compare to last?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Where is the UNC Baseball team ranked in the 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25?

Four rising sophomores have the Diamond Heels ranked pretty highly in these 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings.

It’ll be tough to forget the North Carolina Tar Heels’ run to the 2024 College World Series.

UNC compiled one of its best teams in recent memory, headlined by 5-tool center fielder Vance Honeycutt and the ACC’s top recruiting class. As the year progressed, North Carolina learned it had one of the country’s most dangerous batting orders – thank you, Casey Cook and Parks Harber – plus an exceptional bullpen led by Matthew Matthijs and Dalton Pence.

The Diamond Heels faced plenty of drama in the NCAA Tournament: almost losing the first game of their Regional, then facing elimination against LSU heading into the Regional Final. UNC also trailed West Virginia late in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, plus ACC rival Virginia late in both teams’ CWS opener, but came back to win all four contests – on walk-offs.

North Carolina lost a lot of talent from its 2024 run. Honeycutt, Cook, Pence, Anthony Donofrio, Shea Sprague and Aidan Haugh – all starters – were picked in the 2024 MLB Draft, while bullpen arm Cameron Padgett and starting first baseman Park Harber signed free agent deals.

Despite all this, UNC returns a lot of young talent from. That’s why the Diamond Heels are ranked 12th in Baseball America’s 2025 “Way Too Early” Top 25 rankings.

“UNC, this spring, won the ACC and advanced to the College World Series,” Baseball America’s Tommy Cahill wrote. “It has a solid core returning, built around Freshmen All-Americans Jason DeCaro and Luke Stevenson. Third baseman Gavin Gallaher is also back and getting starter Folger Boaz back to full health would be big. But UNC also has a lot to replace. Vance Honeycutt was arguably the best player in program history and must be replaced. UNC also lost All-American closer Dalton Pence, starter Shea Sprague and outfielder Casey Cook, its leading hitter.”

When an April elbow injury forced Boaz to miss the rest of his freshman season, Jason DeCaro became the pitching staff’s ace, finishing his freshman campaign with a 6-1 win-loss record, 3.81 earned run average and a team-best 78 strikeouts.

Power-hitting catcher Luke Stevenson returns a .281 batting average, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs, while Gavin Gallaher – best known for his walk-off in the North Carolina-Long Island University clash during the Chapel Hill Regional – hit .314, mashed eight home runs and drove in 38 runners last season.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Here are ALL the former North Carolina Tar Heels participating in the Summer Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics are finally here. How many former UNC athletes are competing?

It’s late July. You’re waiting for the start of college football season – rightfully so – and playing EA Sports College Football 25 increases your excitement for the real thing.

This summer, while you’re waiting, why not check out the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?

I’m not talking about traveling to France, unless you’re planning a vacation, but instead watching every sport you could imagine on television. We’re talking badminton, fencing, soccer, wrestling, basketball, plus several more.

The Olympics, if you ask me, are a great way to pass the time as summer moves on. It also gives you a great chance to watch some of your favorite athletes, particularly those who aren’t in major sports leagues.

Speaking of favorite athletes, the North Carolina Tar Heels will be well-represented in this year’s Summer Olympics. 13 former UNC athletes will participate in eight different sports – Katie Bowen (New Zealand, women’s soccer), Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox (USA, women’s soccer); Rinky Hijikata (Australia, men’s tennis), Patrick Hussey (Canada, men’s swimming), Martin Kartavi, Adam Maraana (Israel, men’s swimming), Ashley Hoffman, Meredith Sholder and Cassie Sumfest (USA, women’s field hockey), Ethan Ramos (Puerto Rico, freestyle wrestling), Kristen Siermachesky (Canada, women’s rowing) and Aranza Vasquez (women’s diving).

https://www.instagram.com/p/C95Nx7muey6/?img_index=2

If you want to know exactly when you can watch Tar Heel representatives on TV, click here for the schedule.

Wouldn’t it be something if, when the Olympics are complete, several athletes who donned Carolina Blue are medal winners?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC football players take over the Dean Dome on Tuesday

Check out what the UNC football team did on Tuesday afternoon.

The raucous crowds, big plays, tailgates, and stadium entrances all define one sport – college football.

The North Carolina Tar Heels begin their coming season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Minnesota, a team they beat in their inaugural matchup – 31-13 – last year in Chapel Hill. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding UNC entering the fall, with plenty of starting spots open, but also plenty of excitement with players who could step into those starting roles.

The greatest debate on North Carolina’s roster is at the quarterback position, with the battle between returning sophomore Conner Harrell and Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson. Kaimon Rucker will step up to lead the defense, while J.J. Jones is the Tar Heels’ new top receiver.

Even with all the decisions still needing to be made, that didn’t stop players from having a little fun on Tuesday at the Dean Dome.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9x8YnkuKu0/

If head UNC men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis ever wants to recruit a couple football guys, he has several to pick from.

I saw a lot of perimeter makes, a couple layups and dunks at the end. The video ended with Harrell and Johnson bumping shoulders – even in the midst of a heated competition, they’re still teammates and good friends with one another.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

ACC Football Kickoff 2024 will be well-represented by conference quarterbacks

Max Johnson and Conner Harrell, who are battling for UNC’s starting quarterback job, will both be present at the ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday.

The anticipation for the start of college football season continues to build, especially in the ACC, with the ACC Football Kickoff running until Thursday afternoon.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips started off Monday responding to the Big 12 Commissioner, highlighting the ACC is a Top-3 conference. Georgia Tech, Florida State and conference newcomer SMU followed Phillips, then Tuesday included appearances from Pitt, Virginia Tech, California, Stanford and Virginia.

The ACC Football Kickoff continues Wednesday with Miami, Louisville, Boston College, Duke and Wake Forest, then concludes Thursday with NC State, Syracuse, Clemson and our North Carolina Tar Heels.

Head coaches from every program either already were – or will – be there. Several players are also planned to make appearances – some program veterans, plus a few new guys.

One position group that will be well-represented at the ACC Football Kickoff, however, is quarterbacks.

“A whopping total of 19 quarterbacks are set to be in attendance at the ACC Football Kickoff, with every team but Florida State and Wake Forest bringing at least one,” CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson wrote. “Cal, Duke and North Carolina are all bringing two quarterbacks, so any questions about those upcoming quarterback competitions can be answered directly.”

At UNC, the quarterback battle likely comes down to Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson and last year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl starter Conner Harrell, who’s been in Chapel Hill for the past two seasons. Both Johnson and Harrell will be available at 1 p.m. Thursday, when North Carolina takes the stage.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.