Mack Brown told local reporters on Monday that offensive lineman Ed Montilus has had a change of heart and, after initially deciding against a return to UNC in 2023, he will be back with the Tar Heels.

Montilus, a 6-foot-3 senior from Apopka, Florida, started every game for Carolina throughout the 2022 season.

The 2023 campaign will mark the sixth and final season at UNC for Montilus. He entered the program out of the 2018 class and took a redshirt his first year.

He made 14 starts in 22 appearances over the next two seasons. During the 2021 campaign, Montilus served in a backup role for most of the year. He re-entered the starting five up front for the 2022 season, albeit to mixed results. According to Pro Football Focus, Montilus was Carolina’s second lowest-graded offensive lineman to see the field and the lowest among the starters. He was credited with allowing 31 total quarterback pressures and five sacks.

But with the news that he’ll return, UNC can expect to have four of its five starters back for next year.