After the offensive fireworks fans were treated to last season, there are a lot of high expectations for the UNC football program this fall.
Jumping out to a 9-1 record and earning the 13th spot in the AP Poll, the Heels were on the fringe of the College Football Playoff. Drake Maye was in the middle of a Heisman Trophy campaign. UNC clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game, its first appearance since 2015, with a dominating win over Pitt.
The Heels tumbled and lost their final four games, plus their two best receivers (Josh Downs, Antoine Green) were selected in the NFL Draft.
The good news? Carolina returns Maye, a Heisman candidate once again, who finished fourth in passing yards (4,321) among FBS quarterbacks. The entire running back room (Elijah Green, Omarion Hampton, Caleb Hood, George Pettaway) is coming back, plus the best tight end trio in the country (Bryson Nesbit, Kamari Morales, John Copenhaver) will also suit up.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cedric Gray is one of the country’s best linebackers. The Heels also have 5-stars Travis Shaw and Desmond Evans on the line.
Heading into the 2023 season, UNC is being picked to finish third in the ACC by ESPN.
Ahead of the Heels are a much-improved, Mike Norvell-led Florida State squad with defensive end Jared Verse and quarterback Jordan Travis, plus the 2022 ACC champion Clemson Tigers, who’ve won seven of the last eight titles.
Keep in mind – these are just preseason rankings.
Carolina could surprise us all and win the entire ACC. They’ll be tested significantly this year, particularly early on with an opening matchup against South Carolina and a Week 2 clash with App State, then two road games to end the year against Clemson and N.C. State.
There’s no doubt the Gridiron Heels will be looking to prove they’re more than just a basketball school this year.
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