It’s finally here. After a long offseason full of questions about where the Tar Heel football program goes post-Drake Maye, the team will begin answering them tomorrow night in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Here’s everything that you need to know heading into this crucial season opener.
Team Breakdowns
Tar Heels
Of all the questions the program is facing, the biggest one is the quarterback position which heads into the game unresolved. Mack Brown said last week that both quarterbacks, senior Max Johnson and sophomore Conner Harrell, will be ready to play in this game and even went as far as to say we could see both guys at some point in the game. While that may sound scary on the surface, it likely means that if the guy who starts the game struggles, we’ll see the other guy. Regardless of who is under center, the team should lean heavily on junior running back Omarion Hampton, who was one of the nation’s top running backs a year ago. He set a personal goal this year to reach 2,000 yards, seeming to embrace the workload that is expected to be on his plate this year. He’ll have some depth behind him that can contribute, as well, in the form of USC transfer Darwin Barlow and true freshman Davion Gause, who had a good offseason. The pass catcher room has a lot of talent, but needs guys to take the step with Tez Walker departed to the NFL. Senior J.J. Jones played well in the role as the top receiver during the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and the hope is that what he did translates to him being the top receiver this year. Senior slot receiver Nate McCollum has had a big offseason and looks poised to return from to his form from early last year after being non-existent down the stretch. Junior Kobe Paysour’s return could also be big with his versatility to play on the outside and in the slot if he can put the foot injuries behind him. Gavin Blackwell looks like he will have the opportunity to play a significant again as he hopes to finally build off his potential. The top pass catching threat may come from the tight end room, though, as Bryson Nesbit, John Copenhaver and Jake Johnson all have a chance to be a major part of the passing attack this season. The offensive line is another big question for this season, but having Willie Lampkin to anchor the unit and encouraging performances from transfers Austin Blaske and Howard Sampson this offseason gives this group a chance to be better than what we saw at the end of last season.
Defensively, the overarching storyline is the changes to the coaching staff. Geoff Collins takes over as the team’s defensive coordinator and promises to bring a more aggressive scheme to that side of the ball. Meanwhile, Ted Monachino takes over as the defensive line coach and the hope is that he and defensive line analyst Jimmy Lindsey can help develop the defensive front talent that is in the room. Senior rush end Kaimon Rucker is one of the few that did develop in the last few years and is poised for another big season off the edge. The staff is once again praising senior defensive end Des Evans for the work he’s done this offseason, but they are doing the same with sophomore Beau Atkinson, who looks ready to take on a more substantial role this season whether as a rotational option or as a starter. On the interior of the unit, it’s time for senior Jahvaree Ritzie and junior Travis Shaw to step up. Ole Miss transfer Joshua Harris could be the guy who actually starts next to solid, yet unspectacular senior Kevin Hester after he made an impression on the staff in fall camp. At linebacker, there is excitement about the starters, but concern about the depth. Sophomore Amare Campbell looks like he will be a go for this game after breaking his hand earlier this month and he’ll pair with senior Power Echols who takes over as the leader of the defense after Cedric Gray’s departure. Behind these two, the Tar Heels need someone to step up, especially if Campbell is limited in any way out of the gate. The defensive backfield is the strength of the unit and the reason to be optimistic about this defense. Senior Alijah Huzzie is back on the outside at corner after being forced into the STAR position at the last minute before last season when DeAndre Boykins went down. He’ll get most of the top assignments, while junior Marcus Allen looks to be more consistent opposite of him in his second full year with the team. At STAR, sophomore Kaleb Cost looks destined for a breakout year after an outstanding fall camp following a strong showing in the bowl game. The strength of the room, though, might be the safeties where seniors Stick Lane and Jakeen Harris and juniors Will Hardy and DeAndre Boykins are all capable of playing important snaps for the team.
The special teams unit was as up-and-down a group as you could find nationally. Senior placekicker Noah Burnette is back after a tremendous 2023 and Huzzie will also return to handle the punt return duties after a productive season doing so last year. Sophomore Chris Culliver, who will also be pushing for reps at receiver, will handle the kick return duties after showing some nice promise in the bowl game. Punter was a disaster after Ben Kiernan went down and Tom Maginness simply has to improve this season and the coverage units have to do the same.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers have changed a lot since their trip to Chapel Hill last year. For starters, they will have a new man under center, which was sorely needed after a rough 2023 season at the position. Max Brosmer comes in from New Hampshire where he was a second team FCS All-American last year and has done a great job of taking care of the football while throwing for a ton of yards over the past two seasons. He’ll have a strong running game behind him starting with sophomore Darius Taylor who had a big true freshman season. He suffered a hamstring injury early in camp which has his status up in the air for this game, but the staff is high on Oklahoma transfer Marcus Major and Ohio transfer Sieh Bangura. At wide receiver, the team has a star in Daniel Jackson, who earned second team All-Big Ten honors after another productive season, something that is made more impressive by the lack of good quarterback play. Outside of him, though, the room is searching for answers. Senior Elijah Spencer is hoping to return to the type of production that he had at Charlotte after a quiet 2023 while guys like Le’Meke Brockington and Georgia transfer Tyler Williams will be looked to to fill the other outside receiver spot. At tight end, the team is hoping senior Nick Kallerup will be ready to become a starter after backing up the departed Brevyn Spann-Ford a year ago. The offensive line is a strength with second team All-Big Ten member Aireonte Ersery and senior guard Tyler Cooper anchoring the unit.
Defensively, the team lost longtime defensive coordinator Joe Rossi to Michigan State, prompt them to hire Rutgers linebackers coach Corey Hetherman to replace him. The strength of his first unit will be the defensive front, where edge rushers Danny Striggow and Jah Joyner return after productive seasons a year ago. Defensive tackles Jalen Logan-Redding and Deven Eastern will also be back in the middle of this defense as the team hopes to take a step forward in run defense. That will be made easier with the return of senior linebacker Corey Lindenberg, who was only able to play in four games last year due to injury. He’ll team with sophomores Maverick Baranowski and Joey Gerlach and junior Devon Williams as the unit tries to improve as a whole. The secondary has to replace two keys starters with safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Tre’Von Jones gone, but Jack Henderson, the team’s leading tackler from a year ago is back, as is corner Justin Walley.
The team also has a new special teams coordinator in the form Bob Ligashesky. Placekicker Dragan Kesich is back after earning first team All-Big Ten honors last year following an outstanding season and the steady Mark Crawford returns alongside him. Quentin Redding will handle both return jobs once again, hoping to shine again on punt returns and improve on kick returns. The team did a great job of covering punt, but will be looking to improve their kick coverage unit.
Team Stats
Tar Heels (2023 Stats)
-Off. PPG: 34.5 (T-20th)
-Off. PYPG: 299.2 (14th)
-Off. RYPG: 192.1 (20th)
-Off. TYPG: 491.3 (7th)
-Off. 3rd Down %: 48.4% (9th)
-Off. 4th Down %: 45.0% (T-98th)
-Off. Red Zone TD%: 61.0% (T-64th)
-Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 76.0 (T-87th)
-Sacks Allowed: 37.0 (112th)
-Def. PPG: 27.3 (T-75th)
-Def. PYPG: 241.2 (T-94th)
-Def. RYPG: 163.2 (93rd)
-Def. TYPG: 404.4 (97th)
-Def. 3rd Down %: 38.6% (63rd)
-Def. 4th Down %: 51.5% (T-66th)
-Def. Red Zone %: 56.4% (47th)
-Tackles for A Loss: 73.0 (T-60th)
-Sacks: 28.0 (T-60th)
-Interceptions: 12 (T-39th)
-Turnover Margin: +5 (T-31st)
-Penalties Per Game: 7.2 (T-117th)
-Penalty Yards Per Game: 66.3 (125th)
Minnesota (2023 Stats)
-Off. PPG: 20.9 (T-110th)
-Off. PYPG: 143.4 (126th)
-Off. RYPG: 157.5 (66th)
-Off. TYPG: 300.9 (125th)
-Off. 3rd Down %: 35.2% (106th)
-Off. 4th Down %: 82.4% (1st)
-Off. Red Zone %: 57.5% (93rd)
-Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 56.0 (18th)
-Sacks Allowed: 21.0 (T-42nd)
-Def. PPG: 26.7 (69th)
-Def. PYPG: 219.3 (59th)
-Def. RYPG: 149.1 (64th)
-Def. TYPG: 368.4 (56th)
-Def. 3rd Down %: 46.0% (123rd)
-Def. 4th Down %: 80.0% (133rd)
-Def. Red Zone TD%: 69.8% (117th)
-Tackles for A Loss: 56.0 (118th)
-Sacks: 26.0 (T-70th)
-Interceptions: 12 (T-39th)
-Turnover Margin: +2 (T-49th)
-Penalties Per Game: 3.0 (T-1st)
-Penalty Yards Per Game: 27.1 (2nd)
Keys to the Game
Figure Out Your QB
Mack Brown may have said they want to play both quarterbacks in the opener, but that can only last so long in this game if the Tar Heels want to win this game. The staff needs to find one quarterback early in this game and allow him establish a rhythm and the offense to do the same. This could be made even easier if the quarterback who starts the comes out on fire.
Win the Line of Scrimmage, Especially in the Run Game
Any game against a Big Ten opponent heightens the focus on trench play, but this being the first game of the season and the weather being questionable makes it even more. This young offensive line will be tested by this veteran defensive line, but they need to be able to get enough push to run the ball and give the quarterback, who ever it is, time to throw. On the defensive side of the ball, the team must be able to stop the run and make Brosmer uncomfortable in order to set the back seven up for success.
Capitalize on Short Fields and Redzone Opportunities
This is always important, but with true uncertainty about this offense for the first time since Mack Brown’s return and limited possessions expected, it makes this a crucial aspect of this game. The Tar Heels were a solid redzone team last year, but they need to be able to find the endzone as often as possible and when they are gifted with good field position, they have to take advantage of it. The team that wins this area will be the one who wins what should be a low scoring slugfest.
Injury Report
Tar Heels
PROB- Amare Campbell (hand)
Minnesota
OUT- Darius Taylor (leg)
WILL PLAY- Daniel Jackson (undisclosed)
Projected Starting Lineup
Tar Heels
Offense
QB#14 Max Johnson, Gr.
RB#28 Omarion Hampton, Jr.
WR-X# 5 J.J. Jones, Gr.
WR-SL# 6 Nate McCollum, Sr.
WR-Z# 8 Kobe Paysour, Jr.
TE#81 John Copenhaver, Gr.
LT#79 Howard Sampson, So.
LG#64 Malik McGowan, Jr.
C#58 Austin Blaske, Gr.
RG#53 Willie Lampkin, Sr.
RT#78 Trevyon Green, So.
Defense
DE#10 Des Evans, Sr.
NT#98 Kevin Hester Jr., Gr.
DT# 5 Jahvaree Ritzie, Sr.
RUSH# 7 Kaimon Rucker, Gr.
WLB#23 Power Echols, Sr.
MLB#17 Amare Campbell, So.
CB#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
SS# 1 Stick Lane, Gr.
FS# 2 Jakeen Harris, Gr.
CB#29 Marcus Allen, Jr.
STAR#21 Kaleb Cost, So.
Special Teams
PK#98 Noah Burnette, Sr.
P#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KOS#37 Liam Boyd, So.
LS#62 Spencer Triplett, Gr.
H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.
KR# 3 Chris Culliver, So.
PR#28 Alijah Huzzie, Gr.
Minnesota
Offense
QB#16 Max Brosmer, Gr.
RB# 1 Darius Taylor, So.
WR-X#11 Elijah Spencer, Sr.
WR-SL# 9 Daniel Jackson, Sr.
WR-Z# 0 Le’Meke Brockington, Jr.
TE#87 Nick Kallerup, Sr.
LT#69 Aireontae Ersery, Sr.
LG#75 Tyler Cooper, Sr.
C#65 Greg Johnson, So.
RG#77 Quinn Carroll, Sr.
RT#60 Phillip Daniels, RFr.
Defense
DE#17 Jah Joyner, Sr.
NT#91 Deven Eastern, Jr.
DT#97 Jalen Logan-Redding, Sr.
RUSH#92 Danny Striggow, Sr.
WLB#45 Corey Lindenberg, Sr.
MLB# 6 Maverick Baranowski, So.
SLB#19 Joey Gerlach, So.
CB# 5 Justin Walley, Sr.
SS# 7 Aidan Gousby, So.
FS#16 Coleman Bryson, So.
CB# 2 Ethan Robinson, Sr.
NB#20 Jack Henderson, Sr.
Special Teams
PK#99 Dragan Kesich, Sr.
P#96 Mark Crawford, Sr.
KOS#99 Dragan Kesich, Sr.
LS#38 Ryan Algrim, RFr.
H#96 Mark Crawford, Sr.
KR#81 Quentin Redding, Jr.
PR#81 Quentin Redding, Jr.
Game Information
Kickoff Time: 9:00 PM ET
Weather: 73℉, 58% chance of rain, SSW at 9 mph
Betting Line: -1.5 UNC, o50.5
TV: FOX
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
Preview Podcast
Comments