Tag: UNC Football

Drake Maye named one of 15 instant-impact rookies by USA TODAY

Will UNC stadnout Drake Maye play up to standards of the NFL Draft’s third overall pick?

Just over one week removed from the NFL draft, we’re starting to see rookies fit in with their new teams.

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze look ecstatic in early pictures. The Chicago Bears’ top-10 draft picks are hoping to become the NFL’s next great quarterback-receiver combo. We’re starting to learn how funny Keon Coleman is through Instagram videos.

One rookie who gave an outstanding first impression was former UNC standout quarterback Drake Maye, whom the New England Patriots selected third overall. Maye, the 2022 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, gives the former dynasty a significant upgrade from Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones.

Maye, who threw for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns, ran for 1,209 more yards and 16 more scores, was named one of USA TODAY’s 15 instant-impact rookies.

“This is chiefly a matter of obligation,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Maye is the only one of the top three picks who’s not a lock to begin the season as the starter. There might be reason to keep Jacoby Brissett in the lineup for a solid stretch, too, as a still-underwhelming collection of skill-position talent could prove problematic for Maye’s acclimation to the pro level. Still, the eventual installation of the 6-4, 223-pounder into the lineup will mark a new day for a New England offense that lacked a true catalyst in the Mac Jones years. Highlights are sure to follow given Maye’s rare arm strength and ability to attack defenses on the move. Just don’t expect a robust overall body of work right away.”

Learning from Brissett, the former NC State quarterback who has a proven track record of success as an NFL starter, wouldn’t be the worst thing for Maye. I have no doubt Maye could succeed as a Day 1 starter, but we’ve seen how that has worked out for rookies in the past (i.e. Zach Wilson).

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UNC Football trending for Class of 2025 WR Malik Clark

There’s a strong chance a top wide receiver recruit in South Carolina joins the UNC football program next year.

A football team can never have too many pass-catchers.

With how often rosters change and – unfortunately in today’s game – injuries happen, finding a quality receiver is a challenge.

The UNC football program has been fortunate to sport the likes of NFL draftees Josh Downs and Devontez Walker over the past two seasons. If you head back even further, you’ll remember the names Ryan Switzer and Hakeem Nicks.

North Carolina’s 2024 wide receiver depth chart is anchored by JJ Jones, who led his team with 711 receiving yards last year. The Tar Heels should be set for years after Jones graduates, as all other receivers on the team – besides Nate McCollum – are juniors or younger.

UNC could be adding another wide receiver to the mix next season, as three/four-star wide receiver Malik Clark has a crystal ball prediction to Chapel Hill.

Clark, a three/four-star wide receiver out of Rock Hill, S.C., has already visited North Carolina (June 7, 2023), NC State (June 21) and South Carolina (May 31). Those three are also part of the nine offers he’s already received.

Snagging Clark would be a huge win for the Tar Heels, who will have to replace some offensive playmakers next offseason. Omarion Hampton will likely be gone to the NFL Draft, while JJ Jones will be out of eligiblity (no fifth year for COVID).

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Jacolby Criswell on why he’s returning to UNC football program

Why did Jacolby Criswell announce his return to the UNC football program?

Remember the name Jacolby Criswell?

If you do, it’s because he was in a pretty tight battle for the QB1 spot with Drake Maye ahead of the 2022 UNC football season.

Sam Howell recently departed for the 2022 NFL Draft, leaving North Carolina with two largely unproven quarterbacks at the collegiate level.

Criswell transferred to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 campaign, with Maye locking down the starting job not far into 2022. The hope for Criswell was to compete with KJ Jefferson for the starting job, but Criswell only played four games in reserve action, though he did throw three touchdowns.

Criswell, an Arkansas native, re-entered the transfer portal two weeks back and found his destination – North Carolina.

It’s not uncommon to see a student-athlete enter a transfer portal, but it is rare to see them back at their initial program.

In a recent interview with InsideCarolina, Criswell explained his decision in returning to Chapel Hill:

“Well, I’m still close with all the guys here,” Criswell told InsideCarolina’s Jeremiah Holloway. Just being around those guys my first couple of years and the culture here — I mean, this is where I committed to begin with. So there was a reason why I committed here. And just looking back at everything, this is actually my home. And a lot of times, when you leave somewhere, it’s not good to go back. But when it comes to Carolina, it’s always great.”

Criswell’s return gives UNC yet another weapon and tough choice at quarterback, as Duke’s Mayo Bowl starter Conner Harrell and Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson were already competing for the starting gig. Harrell’s upside is a strong arm, longstanding chemistry with his teammates and familiarity with the system, while Johnson brings several years of starting experience to the table.

Criswell has not started a game yet, but he’s even more familiar with North Carolina’s system than Harrell.

Will that familiarity be enough to land Criswell the starting job in his return?

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UNC quarterback commit drawing interest from a top SEC program

UNC football quarterback commit Bryce Baker is drawing interest from Alabama in his recruitment.

North Carolina has a quarterback battle this Summer with Max Johnson, Conner Harrell and now Jacolby Criswell battling it out for the starting job in the 2024 season. After Drake Maye left for the NFL, UNC will welcome in a new era of quarterback play.

But after this year, the program welcomes in a rising quarterback recruit with commit Bryce Baker.

The 2025 quarterback was just named to the Elite 11 camp, showcasing the best quarterback recruits in the country. While Baker’s stock is on the rise, another program is taking notice as well and it’s one of the top programs in the country.

Per Anna Adams of 247Sports, Alabama has been in contact with Bakers as of recently:

The Crimson Tide haven’t offered the North Carolina native, and he is still committed to the Tar Heels but new head coach Kalen DeBoer does have his eye on Baker. That could be good or bad news.

The good news is that Baker is 100% committed to UNC and that interest from a program like Alabama means he’s a prospect that is continuing to see his stock rise. The bad news? A top program is involved.

Baker is ranked as the No. 18 quarterback and No. 6 player in the state of North Carolina per the 247Sports composite rankings.

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Former UNC football commit named a steal of NFL Draft

How much different would the UNC football team have been if Payton Wilson remained committed?

Since we entered the 2000’s, UNC has largely been dominated by rival NC State in football.

The Wolfpack have beaten the Tar Heels 15 times since 2000, including each of the last three seasons. North Carolina should’ve won in 2021, but endured yet another defensive letdown.

One NC State player who’s dominated UNC, in particular, is linebacker Payton Wilson. The Hillsborough, N.C. native totaled 402 tackles across his 5-year career in Raleigh, which included three victories in five tries against the Tar Heels.

Wilson was actually committed to UNC, but de-committed to don Wolfpack red, citing NC State cares more about football.

Wilson’s collegiate career was good enough to catch the eyes of NFL teams, as the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him 98th overall (third round) in last week’s NFL Draft.

With the fact Wilson has first round-level talent, he was named one of USA Today’s top NFL Draft steals.

“There’s no way to game out the injury factors that seemingly sunk Wilson’s stock,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Despite following up his prolific, Bednarik Award-winning performance last fall with a stellar athletic showcase at the combine, the 6-4, 233-pounder tumbled all the way to the end of the third round. His litany of red flags were mostly widely known after his time at North Carolina State – the Fayetteville Observer and the USA TODAY Network reported last January he had already underwent 10 surgeries – but reports emerged during the draft that he no longer has an interior cruciate ligament in his right knee.”

Imagine how much better the Tar Heels’ defense would’ve been with Wilson back there. North Carolina enjoyed the likes of Cedric Gray, Amari Gainer, Myles Murphy and Tomari Fox over the past couple seasons, but a player of Wilson’s talent is strong enough to make an entire unit better.

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QB Jacolby Criswell transfers back to UNC

4-Star QB Jacolby Criswell transfers back to UNC after spending one year with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Adding his name to the ongoing QB competition.

The quarterback situation for the UNC football program is getting more challenging by the day, with [autotag]Jacolby Criswell[/autotag] transferring back to the team, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Criswell will be back in the Carolina blue threads for the 2024 season, adding experienced talent to the quarterback competition.

Criswell entered the transfer portal 15 days ago, after one season with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Criswell spent the year as a backup but did see some playing time, appearing in four games. 

In those games, Criswell completed 17 of 27 passes (63%) for 143 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Criswell did see a dip in his mobility production, with a 1.9 yards per rush on 23 attempts. 

UNC’s spring football game gave us an in-depth look at the quarterback competition brewing in Chapel Hill. Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson and Sophomore Conner Harrell displayed two different attacks, that often resulted in similar drive success. 

Criswell is a mix of both quarterbacks, who can play it safe like Johnson and still deliver a big splash play like Harrell that involves risk. Criswell is at a disadvantage joining the competition late, but luckily, he will at least know his way around town, spending his first two seasons in Chapel Hill. 

As of now, there’s no starter named yet for UNC, a unique situation not many football programs have. So, Criswell still has a shot, no matter how dark. 

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UNC Football early odds to win the National Championship

We take a look at the UNC football program’s early odds of winning the National Championship.

Well, the early odds are in for the 2024-2025 winner of the college football championship, and despite low odds, there’s still a chance for the UNC football program.

Finding UNC’s chances to win it all is like a game of finding where’s Waldo. It is there if you look hard enough. The Tar Heels are currently tied for 17 best odds on BETMGM (+15000) to win the National Championship, the fifth best odds coming from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Florida State leads all ACC schools in odds (+2500), followed by Clemson (+3000), Miami (+5000) and Louisville (+10000). Luckily for ACC programs, they will have a better chance at grabbing the national championship with the NCAA heading into a 12-team format for playoffs.

The new format will still cause a fuss, but it should limit the winner of the ACC from being snubbed again by the committee. It will also give teams like UNC a better chance at still playing for the National Championship even if they have a loss on their record.

If you feel like UNC can win it all, now would be the best time to place a bet, seeing that $10 could net you $1,510.

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UNC QB commit Bryce Baker earns Elite 11 finals invite

UNC’s 2025 QB commit Bryce Baker earns Elite 11 finals invite, joining a string of talented quarterbacks who have thrown at the event.

Another day, another future Tar Heel making moves with 4-star quarterback [autotag]Bryce Baker[/autotag] earning an invite to Elite 11 finals.

Baker is a part of the 2025 class representing East Forsyth High School, who committed to the UNC football program last June. The Elite 11 has welcomed the best High School quarterbacks around the nation since 1999, allowing young players to showcase their talents among their peers.

Many current NFL QBs have gone through the program including key players like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Jalen Hurts, and former Tar Heel Sam Howell.

Baker had a phenomenal junior campaign at East Forsyth, leading the high school to a 10-2 record. Baker finished the season with 3,082 passing yards with a completion rate of (66.6%), 39 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Much like recent UNC QBs, Baker is mobile, picking up 233 rushing yards and three touchdowns with his feet.

The Elite 11 will take place this summer in Los Angeles, as the program celebrates its 25th year. The event will last three days, giving prospects a plethora of opportunities to showcase the talents they are bringing to their respective schools.

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Where undrafted UNC football players landed in NFL

Where UNC football players landed after the 2024 NFL Draft as undrafted free agents.

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program saw three players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft this past weekend. With Drake Maye going No. 3 overall, the program had to wait until day three to see some others as Cedric Gray went to Tennessee and Devontez Walker went to Baltimore.

It was a solid draft for the program with Maye headlining it. But after the draft, the Tar Heels also saw some players earn spots as undrafted free agents.

Check out the list of players who joined NFL teams following the draft as undrafted free agents:

The goal for these players is to perform well enough in the offseason during rookie minicamp, OTA’s, training camp and even preseason games to make the roster.

It’s an uphill battle but it’s not like it hasn’t been done before in this league and it could provide some extra motivation. Good luck to these former Tar Heels with their new home.

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Why star UNC wideout Tez Walker is a good NFL Draft selection for Baltimore Ravens

UNC standout Tez Walker is an immediate upgrade on the Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiving corps.

It’s Saturday, April 27 and Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft is underway.

Saturday’s first pick went to the Carolina Panthers, who selected Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with the 101st overall pick. The Denver Broncos then selected Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin, followed by the New England Patriots’ pick of Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson, who gives former UNC standout quarterback Drake Maye a strong pass-blocker Up East.

Another former Tar Heel was taken later in the fourth round on Saturday, with star wideout Tez Walker chosen 113th overall by the Baltimore Ravens. Walker gives 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson yet another speedy wideout.

If you know anything about Baltimore, its receiving corps is largely unproven. The Ravens did select Zay Flowers in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft – he is a budding star wideout – but there’s not much consistency behind him.

Tez, as Tar Heel Nation calls him, is an immediate upgrade on a receiving corps that also includes Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman.

In just eight games last season for UNC – his time was shortened due to an initial ineligibility ruling by the NCAA – Walker led North Carolina with seven touchdown receptions. He caught 41 passes for 691 yards, second most on the Tar Heel behind J.J. Jones.

The year before at Kent State, Walker was nearly a 1,000-yard receiver while catching 11 touchdown passes.

Walker is lightning-fast, tying for the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash time at the 2024 NFL Combine, by running a 4.36.

The main reasons Walker’s a great fit in Baltimore? He can help create good separation for the Ravens’ other receivers, plus he’s shown the ability to put up big numbers in a short period of time.

Who knows, maybe Walker is starting by season’s end? If Walker’s UNC days are any indication of his pro career, Baltimore is getting a steal in the NFL Draft.

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