As the transfer portal opens today, North Carolina received some positive news on the offensive side of the ball from one of its best players last season.
The school announced that running back Demon June has re-signed with the Tar Heels and will return to Chapel Hill next season. As a true freshman, June had 84 carries for a team-high 464 yards and two touchdowns. He is the first returning-player announcement by UNC this offseason.
Demon June has re-signed with the North Carolina Tar Heels.@reallju ✍️ pic.twitter.com/DH3WWh3T28
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January 2, 2026
A three-star prospect out of Jacksonville, N.C., June quickly worked his way into the rotation and eventually took over as North Carolina’s primary running back, even while splitting carries with veterans Davion Gause and Benjamin Hall.
He topped 100 rushing yards in two games in 2025 — victories over Richmond and Syracuse — and delivered his signature outing on Halloween in a 27-10 win against the Orange, piling up 182 yards from scrimmage with both a rushing and a receiving touchdown.
June was a critical piece to keep, as he is a young, up-and-coming player who showed a lot of potential despite Carolina’s struggles on offense. The Tar Heels ranked 119th nationally in scoring (19.3 points per game) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards per game).
With the transfer portal officially opening Friday, June was a top priority for head coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi, given his production.
The Tar Heels already lost key edge rusher Tyler Thompson, who had 7.5 sacks last season, to the portal. UNC hopes other players do not leave as well, including wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Demon June resigns with Tar Heels
