A new era for North Carolina football has officially begun, and a local talent from right here in Montgomery County, Maryland is at the heart of the action. True freshman Eidan Buchanan, a 6’9″, 330-pound offensive lineman from Montgomery Village, made his first career start for the Tar Heels in tonight’s highly anticipated season opener against TCU.
Though the game didn’t go as head coach Bill Belichick and company may have planned (TCU leads UNC 41-14 going into the fourth quarter), Buchanan’s start highlights the trust that new UNC head coach has placed in the young MoCo native. Belichick, making his much-publicized college football coaching debut, has already shown a willingness to rely on new talent, with several true and redshirt freshmen playing in the opener.
Buchanan, who attended Watkins Mill High School before moving on to Good Counsel in Olney, comes to Chapel Hill with an impressive physical profile. His imposing size and power made him a highly sought-after recruit, and he has quickly earned a spot on the field. His presence on the offensive line will be crucial as the Tar Heels look to establish their identity under Belichick.
According to his UNC bio, Buchanan “Played offensive tackle for coach Andy Stefanelli at Our Lady of Good Counsel High • Earned 2024 All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First-Team honors • Three-star prospect ranking according to ESPN, 247Sports, On3 and Rivals • Rated No. 34 prospect in Maryland by ESPN, No. 37 by 247Sports, No. 42 by Rivals and No. 50 by On3.”
