Report: North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. He spent the 2023 season at Arkansas before returning to the Tar Heels in 2024.

Criswell began his college career at UNC, appearing in 14 games across three years. He then entered the portal and committed to Arkansas, where he appeared in four games in 2023, before heading back to Chapel Hill for the 2024 campaign.

In 12 appearances this past season following Max Johnson’s season-ending injury, Criswell threw for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns in what turned out to be Mack Brown’s last season at North Carolina. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as he heads back into the portal.

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.

Jacolby Criswell played high school football at Morrilton (Ark.), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 271 overall player from the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Criswell will be the 16th North Carolina player to enter the transfer portal this cycle following Brown’s departure and Bill Belichick’s arrival as head coach. The Tar Heels have been active in the transfer market, though, with 16 newcomers coming in. The headliner of the group is former Washington linebacker Khmori House – the No. 123 overall player to hit the portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

UNC is also in the mix for the biggest fish left in the pond. Former Washington cornerback Thaddeus Dixon visited the Tar Heels as he goes through the transfer process, and they’re squarely in the mix in his recruitment. Ole Miss is also in pursuit, and On3’s Pete Nakos had more details on where things stand earlier this week.

Dixon spent the last two seasons with Washington, including the national championship run in 2023, meaning he has a relationship with new North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick. He has played a total of 26 games with the Huskies, recording 66 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 18 PBUs and a forced fumble.