South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez has announced his decision to transfer to North Carolina, as confirmed by his social media post on Thursday night. Lopez, known for his dual-threat capabilities, accumulated 2,559 passing yards and 18 touchdowns alongside 465 rushing yards and seven scores in his first full season as a starter. With 11 starts last year and five appearances during his redshirt season in 2023, Lopez still has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Lopez was drawn to North Carolina due to the NFL experience of head coach Bill Belichick and his staff, as revealed in an interview with The Madison (Alabama) Record. Expressing his determination to vie for a starting position, Lopez emphasized his commitment to making a significant impact at his new collegiate destination.