After losing several players to the NCAA transfer portal, the UNC football team is already working to plug the gaps. Here’s a complete tracker of which transfers have committed to play for head coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels in 2023:

DB Antavious Lane (Georgia State)

Image via Georgia State Athletics/Cole Carter

A late addition to UNC’s transfer class, Lane committed to Carolina almost immediately after his official visit. Lane was named third team All-Sun Belt in 2022, first team in 2021 and second team in 2020. This past season saw Lane post a career-high 62 tackles while continuing to be a turnover machine: Lane forced a career-high two fumbles (both of which came against UNC) while also grabbing two interceptions. In his career at Georgia State, Lane has forced four fumbles and grabbed 11 picks (five in 2021). He leaves Georgia State as the Panthers’ active leader in interceptions. Lane will have two years of eligibility with the Tar Heels.

DE Amari Gainer (Florida State)

Image via 247 Sports/Greg Oyster

A veteran defender for Florida State, Gainer made at least 59 tackles in three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. In fact, he entered this season as the Seminoles’ active leader in career tackles. However, Gainer struggled with injuries in 2022 and was only able to appear in seven games and make 17 tackles. His best season came when he was a redshirt freshman in 2019: Gainer made 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered another. Though he played primarily as a linebacker with the Seminoles, Gainer will likely line up as an edge rusher for Carolina. He will have one year of eligibility.

WR Nate McCollum (Georgia Tech)

Another talented addition to the UNC wide receiver corps, McCollum led Georgia Tech in receptions (60), yards (655) and touchdowns (3) in 2022, despite missing a game (ironically, the win at Carolina in November). The 5-11 McCollum was a highly-touted recruit for the Yellow Jackets, ranking as one of the top 30 prospects in school history and the No. 62 wide receiver in the nation at the time of his commitment. McCollum will have two years of eligibility at Carolina.

DB Armani Chatman (Virginia Tech)

Image via Virginia Tech Athletics

After playing five seasons at Virginia Tech, Chatman will come to Chapel Hill for his sixth and final year of college football. He started 10 games at cornerback for the Hokies in 2022, recording 18 tackles, an interception and five pass break-ups (one of which came against Carolina). Chatman also started multiple games in each of his previous three non-redshirt seasons in Blacksburg, with 2020 being his best season. That year, Chatman stuffed the stat sheet with 32 tackles, a sack and a team-high six pass break-ups. With the ACC altering its scheduling for 2023, Carolina is not currently in line to play Virginia Tech next season, meaning Chatman won’t get a chance to visit his old team.

WR Devontez Walker (Kent State)

Image via Kent State Athletics

A Charlotte native, Walker arrives in Chapel Hill after a star turn in his second season with Kent State. Walker led the Golden Flashes with 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns (including one at No. 1 Georgia) in 2022 after making just five catches the previous season. In fact, Walker’s 11 touchdown receptions were more than the rest of his team combined (six). Walker’s best game came against Miami-Ohio in October, when he caught 11 balls for 159 yards and two touchdowns, all season highs. He also made the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime in Kent State’s regular-season finale. He will have two years of eligibility remaining with Carolina.

DB Alijah Huzzie (East Tennessee State)

Image via East Tennessee State Athletics

The first player to commit to UNC from the portal, Huzzie will provide much needed depth to a Carolina cornerback room which was decimated by portal departures. In his sophomore season at East Tennessee State in 2022, Huzzie was named an FCS All-American. He led his team with six interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) this season. As a team, Carolina had just eight this season. Huzzie also returned punts for the Buccaneers, averaging 15 yards per return. He will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Tar Heels.

DB Derrik Allen (Georgia Tech)

Image via Georgia Tech Athletics

Chapel Hill will be the third stop in Allen’s career. He originally committed to Notre Dame before redshirting his true freshman season. He then transferred to Georgia Tech in 2020 and played three years for the Yellow Jackets, beating Carolina twice in the process. In wins against the Tar Heels in 2021 and 2022, Allen made a combined six tackles. But his connections to UNC go deeper than that: Allen’s younger brother, Marcus, is a freshman defensive back for the Tar Heels.

Derrik Allen will have two seasons of eligibility with the Tar Heels.

OL Willie Lampkin (Coastal Carolina)

Image via Coastal Carolina Athletics

After a decorated career at Coastal Carolina, Willie Lampkin will look to repeat his success with the Tar Heels. Lampkin was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team and the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022. He was named to the All-Sun Belt second team in 2021 and was a true freshman All-American in 2020. Lampkin lined up at multiple offensive line positions for the Chanticleers, including center. Lampkin will have two years of eligibility with Carolina.

K Ryan Coe (Cincinnati)

Image via Cincinnati Athletics

Coe comes to Chapel Hill after stints with both Delaware and Cincinnati in his three-year career. He was 19-23 on field goals with a long of 52 yards this season with the Bearcats and didn’t miss an extra point. In 2021 with the Blue Hens, Coe was named third team All-CAA while booting 30 touchbacks on kickoffs and making 14 of 17 field goals. He will have two years of eligibility with the Tar Heels.

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