North Carolina Exodus Continues as Another Top Player bids Farewell to Program

UNC Football Staff Loses Former Top-Ranked Offensive Lineman to Transfer Portal

Zach Rice, a standout from the 2022 UNC football recruiting class, is now looking for a new team.

Just three years ago, Rice was one of two five-star recruits leading a top-15 class for head coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels. However, as of this week, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman, who was the top-ranked player at his position in the 2022 recruiting cycle, has announced his decision to leave Chapel Hill after just two seasons with the team.

On Wednesday, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that Rice is entering the transfer portal.

BREAKING: North Carolina OL Zach Rice plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’6 320 OL was ranked as a Five-Star Recruit (No. 1 OT) in the ‘22 Class per On3 Industry

2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/fAGCCfsctr

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 16, 2025

Coming out of high school, Rice was ranked No. 13 overall and No. 1 among offensive linemen in the 2022 247Sports Composite rankings. However, his time at UNC has been marked by limited playing opportunities. After enrolling early in 2022, Rice played in two games at right guard as a true freshman, but saw only a few snaps on the field. The following year, he joined the special teams unit, and in 2023, he appeared in just six games before opting to enter the transfer portal during the spring window.