Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Land Missouri Transfer LB

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While the Tar Heels lost two linebackers to the portal earlier this afternoon, the team has made an addition to the linebacker room that should be able to produce for the team this season.

According to multiple reports, Missouri transfer linebacker Mikai Gbayor has committed to the Tar Heels after entering the transfer portal late Wednesday, after transferring to the Tigers from Nebraska earlier this offseason. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Gbayor spent the last four seasons at Nebraska with the Cornhuskers. After not playing just 19 special teams snaps in his first two seasons with the program, he saw action in all twelve games in 2023, including four starts on defense. He finished with 24 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack in 242 defensive snaps and 152 special teams snaps. This past season, in 2024, he role expanded even further as played in twelve of the team’s 13 games, collecting 49 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 375 defensive snaps and 103 special teams snaps.

This is a nice addition to the linebacker room that gives them a legitimate rotational option that has the ability to start if the Tar Heels need him. Having him as a third linebacker that can rotate in behind Amare Campbell and Khmori House makes this one of the stronger linebacker units on paper in the ACC and provides some legitimate depth when you factor in the promising junior Michael Short.