North Carolina football 2017: Projected Tar Heels depth chart
Defense
Notable Losses: Naz Jones on the interior of the defensive line is a massive loss for the Tar Heels, as he served as one of the anchors of the unit one year ago. Meanwhile, the secondary also lost a leader in Des Lawrence, a cornerback who was unspectacular, but a veteran presence that will be hard to replace given the overall youth of this unit.
On special teams, there are major losses here. The aforementioned Ryan Switzer and T.J. Logan will be big losses in the return game. Meanwhile, kicker Nick Weiler is also a critical departure.
DE: Malik Carney, junior (RS)
DT: Jalen Dalton, junior
DT: Jeremiah Clarke, junior (RS)
DE: Dajaun Drennon, senior (RS)
Malik Carney showed the prospect of breaking out at the end of last season as he was given more opportunity. He’ll be asked to show a ton as the speed rusher of the group. Aaron Crawford might surprise some at either defensive tackle spot, usurping either Dalton or Clarke as a versatile threat in the middle. Either way, there’s experience here even with the loss of Jones.
WLB: Cole Holcomb, junior (RS)
MLB: Andre Smith, junior
SLB: Cayson Collins, senior
There’s a viable chance that Andre Smith could compete for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He’s a rangy playmaker that can stuff the run and hunt down receivers from the middle of the field. Flanked by two experienced players, this linebacker corps should be one of the strengths of the Tar Heels defense.
CB: M.J. Stewart, senior
FS: Myles Dorn, sophomore
SS: Donnie Miles, senior (RS)
CB: K.J. Sails, sophomore
Nickel: Patrice Rene, sophomore
Despite having two seniors listed as starters, North Carolina could rely heavily on their youth in the secondary in the 2017 season. There’s a lot of faith that will be put in Myles Dorn at free safety as he has a lot of promise that could anchor this group. The hope for Gene Chizik’s defense is that he can be that and that youth isn’t a crippling factor for them.
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Special Teams
K: Freeman Jones, junior (RS)
P: Tom Sheldon, sophomore
LS: Kyle Murphy, senior (RS)
KR: Anthony Ratliff-Williams, sophomore (RS)
PR: Anthony Ratliff-Williams, sophomore (RS)
Some believe that Proehl will take punt return duties, but I’m less convinced. The Tar Heels will want to get Ratliff-Williams the ball in his hands as much as possible, so I see him taking on both return duties in the 2017 season. Meanwhile, Freeman Jones has big shoes to fill after Weiler was automatic on extra points and huge on clutch kicks in 2016.