The University of North Carolina’s football team is expected to take a major leap this year – and it has all the signs pointing towards that.
The Heels return Drake Maye, arguably the best quarterback in the country, their top two tight ends in Bryson Nesbit and Kamari Morales, plus a transfer who will certainly boost the wide receiving corps. Linebacker Cedric Gray, who anchored one of 2022’s most underperforming units in all of college football, is gaining some NFL Draft hype ahead of his senior campaign. After a year with uncertainty at running back, Carolina brings back its three leading rushers from a season ago.
Just over a month removed from its Sept. 2 season-opener against neighboring rival University of South Carolina, UNC has three players amongst 247Sports’ top 20 ACC players.
Gray slots in at 16. The Charlotte native led Power Five schools and was third in the entire FBS with 144 tackles (82 solo), including a 14-tackle, 1-interception performance in the record-setting, back-and-forth victory over App State.
Here’s what 247Sports’ Chris Hummer had to say about Gray:
“Gray does everything well. He’s a sure tackler, an above-average in coverage for an off-ball linebacker and obviously does well in the box. The former four-star recruit is one of the most balanced and effective defenders in the country.”
Kent State transfer Devontez Walker landed at 11 on Hummer’s list. He’s a guy Carolina fans haven’t seen play in baby blue yet, but has all the signs of being the perfect Josh Downs replacement. Walker nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last season for the Golden Flashes, catching 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdown.
Here’s what Hummer had to say about Walker:
“Walker is a proven deep threat (29th nationally in catches of 30-plus yards), but also showed a lot of shiftiness in the open field with 12 forced missed tackles on the year. Now that he’s set to play with Drake Maye in a pass-heavy offense, his numbers could explode.”
Maye is, without question, the top player on Hummer’s list. The Huntersville (N.C.) native finished fourth in the FBS with 4,321 passing yards last year, led the Tar Heels with 937 rushing yards and played his way into Heisman Trophy contention. Carolina bolted out to a 9-1 start under Maye before losing its final four games, which included its first ACC championship game appearance since 2015. Maye showed he’s a player with poise in the pocket, who can scramble away from pressure and throw on the run, or evade defenders and break away for a long run.
Here’s what Hummer had to say about Maye:
“It’ll be interesting to see how Maye performs in a more pro-style system in 2023 with Chip Lindsey in as offensive coordinator. Either way, Maye seems like a borderline lock to be drafted in the top 10 next spring.”
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