The Fenway Bowl was another upsetting ending to UNC’s 2024 football season, as North Carolina played primarily with players who didn’t see the field much in 2024, during a 27-14 loss to UConn.
One Tar Heel who saw the field sparingly during regular-season action was freshman linebacker Caleb LaVallee, who actually was one of the rare defensive standouts in the Fenway Bowl.
LaVallee led UNC with nine tackles, recording seven solo stops and one tackle for loss, being one of the few who benefitted from opt-outs and NFL Draft declarations.
Looking ahead at North Carolina’s depth chart, LaVallee would be a likely starting 2025 linebacker.
Unfortunately, the Fenway Bowl is the last we’ll see of LaVallee in a Tar Heels uniform, as the freshman linebacker recently committed to ACC rival Florida State.
The Seminoles (2-10), who suffered through their worst season since 1974, need all the talent and help they can get. UNC beat FSU, 35-11, on November 2 in a game which Omarion Hampton scored five touchdowns.
Not having LaVallee next year will definitely be a loss for North Carolina, but it isn’t roster-altering, as Bill Belichick continues to land commitments in his first offseason as head coach. The Tar Heels’ greatest defensive get, through early January, is former Washington linebacker Khmori House.
Like LaVallee, House is a freshman who played more as the season came to a close. LaVallee totaled 14 tackles (eight solo, six assisted) across five 2024 games, while House collected 33 tackles (19 solo, 14 assisted), forced a fumble, intercepted one pass and deflected four more across nine contests.
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