UNC Tar Heels Football 2021
by Derrick Isaiah Clyburn
The North Carolina football team is coming off one of their best seasons in the program’s history. The Tar Heels had an 8-4 record and were in their first major bowl game since 1950. Five players from last year’s team were drafted into the NFL, which included Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome, and Chazz Surratt. This year, the football team is looking to build off of last season’s success and come into this season with even higher expectations. The Heels come into this season ranked #10 in the country in the preseason AP poll. UNC is also the preseason favorite to win the ACC Coastal Division, which would put them in the ACC championship game.
The 2021 football season will be Coach Mack Brown’s third season back with the program and he should be applauded for the way he has made the football program relevant again nationally. UNC returns several players from last year’s team and has a top 14 recruiting class joining them. The excitement for this team is great and we should be in for an exciting season.
UNC Offense
The Tar Heels offense is once again led by their junior quarterback Sam Howell, who is a preseason Heisman candidate and a preseason second-team All-American. Last year’s offense was one of the most prolific offenses in the country with over 500 yards per game and 41 points per game. They were fifth in the nation in total offense and ninth in scoring. Howell had another great year where he threw for over 3500 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has thrown 68 career touchdowns over his career so far, which is more than any other quarterback in ACC history through two seasons.
Although UNC did lose their top weapons, Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, Dyami Brown, and Dazz Newsome, from last season, there are several young players who showed flashes on offense last season that have a chance to step up and break out this season. The offensive line returns all starters from last season. Last season they were great at run blocking, but must be much better with their pass protection to alleviate pressure for Sam Howell.
At the running back position, the Tar Heels gained grad-transfer Ty Chandler from Tennessee and have some other quality options, including D.J. Jones, British Brooks, Caleb Hood, and Josh Henderson.
The wide receiver group is led by returning senior Beau Corrales, who was injured for most of last season. Josh Downs, Khafre Brown, and Emery Simmons look to be key contributors as well. Josh Downs is poised for a great breakout season and has already received preseason recognition with being awarded the Herbie award for breakout star. Tight end, Garrett Walston, is also returning for another year, which will be another quality weapon for the Tar Heels offense.
While the offense may not have top-end talent as a year ago, the offense should still be effective and potent with the players they have stepping in with the leadership and direction of Sam Howell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
UNC Defense
The UNC defense looks to be much improved this season. The defense is deep and loaded with talent at every position. UNC has a good balance of experienced personnel mixed in with young talented freshmen and sophomores who look to have an immediate impact this upcoming season. A few players to watch out for are Myles Murphy, Jahvaree Ritzie, Keeshawn Silver, Desmond Evans, Kaimon Rucker, and Ra Ra Dilworth.
The biggest improvement this year on defense will be on the defensive line. In past years, the defensive line was more undersized than most power 5 D-1 programs, which has been a disadvantage for the last few years to overcome. This is no longer the case as UNC has upgraded their defensive line in the last two recruiting classes. There is great anticipation with the incoming talent at the defensive line position, they look to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage, which will make the linebackers and defensive backs’ jobs much easier.
Starters Tomon Fox and Jeremiah Gemmel return this season at their respective linebacker positions, and Eugene Asante will replace Chazz Surratt at the middle linebacker position. The defensive backs are expected to have one of the better units in the ACC with returning starters, cornerbacks Tony Grimes, Storm Duck, Kyle McMichael, and quality options at safeties with Trey Morrison, Don Chapman, Ja’Qurious Conley, and Cam’Ron Kelly.
The key areas of improvement for this defensive unit will be to force more turnovers, have more stops in the red zone, and limit big plays from the opponent. The pass rush and run defense will be even better this year with their new additions being implemented in their scheme as well.
UNC Special Teams
North Carolina was not great on Special teams last season, resulting in one of the worst punting teams in the ACC. It was also the second consecutive season that the Heels did not return a single punt or kickoff for a touchdown. This season Josh Downs hopes to become the solution for their kick and punt return woes, which was an obvious weakness over the last two seasons. In addition, kicker Grayson Atkins, who was a former FCS All-American, returns for another season and looks to carry on his momentum from the end of the last season.
Final Observations
The North Carolina football team has lofty expectations this season and wants to be one of the teams to compete for a College Football Playoff spot. They definitely have the talent to be in the conversation, but it is up to them to go out and execute on the field. This is most likely Sam Howell’s last season as he is predicted to be a high draft pick in next year’s NFL draft so the Heels must take advantage of being in this position as a team.
If everyone is healthy and the defense improves as expected, they definitely have a chance to be one of the top teams in the country all season long. The Tar Heels play their first game of the season on ESPN Friday, September 3, 2021, on the road against Virginia Tech at 6 P.M ET. Five of their first seven games are against teams in their division and they play Notre Dame on the road again this season. Therefore, we will see early on if they are ACC Coastal title hopes are indeed possible.