South Alabama QB transfer Gio Lopez commits to North Carolina

Former South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez has committed to Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels, On3 has learned. Loped entered the portal on April 14.

During the 2024 campaign, Lopez was the team’s full-time starter, completing 66% of his passes for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. Lopez’s arm wasn’t his only threat. He also amassed 465 rushing yards and seven TDs on 85 carries. For his efforts, he was named an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention. Lopez boosted the Jaguars to a 6-6 record and a 5-3 mark in conference play.

In his debut season in 2023, Lopez made five appearances, including one start. In his limited time on the field, Lopez completed 41 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns while adding 154 yards and two scores in the ground game. He ultimately spent two seasons at South Alabama.

Before playing college football, Gio Lopez made his name at James Clemens (AL), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,332 overall recruit and No. 70 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

As a senior, Lopez was named First Team All-State by the Alabama Sportswriters Association (ASWA). Additionally, he played for the North squad in the annual AHSAA North-South All-Star football game.

He will be coached by new UNC head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick is one of the most decorated coaches in all of football but all of his success has come at an NFL level. Six Super Bowls are on the resume, all coming with the New England Patriots. Additionally, Belichick has been named NFL Coach of the Year on three occasions and a part of two NFL All-Decade teams (2000s and 2010s).

How he fares at the college level remains to be seen. One thing that is for sure — Lopez will be on his initial roster.

The transfer portal wire provides a real-time feed of player activity, including basic player profile information, transfer portal ranking and original On3 Industry recruiting ranking, as well as NIL valuation (name, image and likeness).

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.