Ryan Browne Re-Entering Portal, Highlighting QB as Need for UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Already underlined as an area of need, quarterback has become an even higher priority in the transfer portal for new coach Bill Belichick and North Carolina.

Ryan Browne, the Purdue transfer who participated in spring practices with the Tar Heels, plans to re-enter the portal for the second time in five months. He announced the decision via On3 Sports on Wednesday. He committed to UNC out of the portal on Dec. 19.

Browne and true freshman early enrollee Bryce Baker handled the workload at quarterback during the live portions of Carolina's spring practices, while veteran Max Johnson went through drills and continued his long road to recovery from a gruesome broken leg.

Inside Carolina recruiting analyst Don Callahan has identified South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez as a portal target of particular interest for the Tar Heels. The lefty Lopez said Monday that he's entering the transfer market, after playing in 11 of South Alabama's 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman. He produced 274.7 yards of total offense last season, ranking him No. 22 nationally in that category on the FBS level.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Browne played in eight games for Purdue last season as a redshirt freshman. He made starting assignments in October losses to Illinois and Oregon. He finished 43-of-76 passing on the season (56.6 completion percentage) for 532 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 155 rushing yards last season on 3.1 yards per carry. Purdue finished the 2024 season with a woeful 1-11 overall record, and 0-9 league mark in the Big Ten Conference.

Browne played in one game as a true freshman in 2023, connecting on 12-of-16 pass attempts for 104 yards in a loss at Northwestern. He also ran for 85 yards that day.

Ryan Browne looks to throw last week at Kenan Stadium during UNC's final spring practice.

Last season, Purdue's 50-49 shootout loss in overtime at Illinois produced an individual highlight moment for Browne. He hit on 18-of-26 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 118 yards on 17 carries. That performance earned some national recognition. Pro Football Focus (PFF) rated Browne's effort as the third-best nationally among Power Four quarterbacks during that particular week.

Browne has three seasons of college eligibility remaining. He previously entered the transfer portal on Dec. 3, and gave consideration to Central Florida, Louisville, Missouri, Utah and Virginia Tech, before choosing the newly hired Belichick and UNC.

As a high school recruit, Browne was ranked as the No. 50 quarterback prospect in the nation and No. 3 quarterback prospect in the state of New York by the 247Sports Composite. He played at Venice (Fla.) High School, then took a prep year at New Berlin (N.Y.) Milford Academy. During that prep season, Purdue offered Browne. He committed a day later. Kent State and Toledo also made recruiting offers.

At Venice High, Browne helped lead his team to a 14-1 record and state championship in 2021. He was named the MVP of the state championship game after throwing for 250 yards and four touchdown passes. He earned Florida Class 8-A Player of the Year honors and Mr. Football runner-up recognition.

Browne's father, Jim Browne, played football with Doug Flutie at Boston College, and later spent four years as a fullback in the NFL.

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