On3 Sports projects UNC to land an SEC defensive back transfer
As the 2025 college football offseason continues to progress, the North Carolina Tar Heels continue to stay active in the transfer portal.
UNC landed its greatest future asset in the form of expected 2025 starting quarterback Gio Lopez, who's coming in from South Alabama. North Carolina also snagged Washington cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, one of the top defensive backs in the portal, while also loading up in the trenches.
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Nothing is official yet, but there's another defensive back projected to join the Tar Heels soon – and he comes from an SEC program.
On3 Sports' Pete Nakos predicts Florida Gators defensive back Gregory Smith III, who'll be entering his sophomore season in the fall, to land at UNC. Nakos has a confidence level of 70 percent in Smith's decision, according to the following graphic.
According to Florida's official football statistics on floridagators.com, Smith played in five games during the 2024 regular season, recording five tackles (three solo) and one PBU.
If Smith lands in Chapel Hill, he'd be the second former Gator to do so, joining defensive tackle D'Antre Robinson. North Carolina has three projected returning starters in its secondary – Marcus Allen, Will Hardy and Kaleb Cost, but I'm willing to bet Smith is one of UNC's first off the bench.
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College sports still maintain the excitement of filled stadium and great campus atmospheres, but they're becoming increasingly professionalized, thanks to the transfer portal and NIL money. If both of those help the Tar Heels become a better team, though, I'm all for it.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: On3Sports predicts UNC to land Florida Gators DB Gregory Smith
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