While there is no official decision on the head coach according to multiple sources, the Tar Heels are already getting back one of the big pieces that entered the portal earlier this week.
On Wednesday afternoon, Tar Heels graduate center Austin Blaske announced via social media that he is withdrawing his name from the transfer portal. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
In Blaske’s first year with the team, he was one of the biggest successes for the Tar Heels on the offensive side of the ball. He played in and started eleven of the team’s twelve regular season games and played the fifth most snaps of anyone on the offensive side of the ball this season. He graded out incredibly well in pass protection, earning an 85.6 pass block grade and allowing zero sacks and five quarterback pressures, numbers that should have been enough to earn him All-ACC honors. While he didn’t grade out nearly as well as a run blocker, posting a 60.7 grade, it was still a very solid grade and he was effective enough to help the team run for 189.5 yards per game this season.
This is a huge guy for the Tar Heels to bring back and he will anchor this unit this season with Willie Lampkin graduating. Many are wondering if this points to a coaching hire being made, but the reports from Pete Thamel and Chris Low are that issues still have to be worked out. This certainly feels like a positive sign, though.
Comments