As the portal entry date approaches, it is decision time for a lot of players on the Tar Heel roster. On Monday, the team lost two more players to the portal, including another member of the offensive line.
According to Inside Carolina, the team has lost offensive guard Malik McGowan and cornerback Tyrane Stewart to the transfer portal. Both guys will have one year of eligibility remaining.
McGowan spent four seasons in Chapel Hill, playing in 31 career games, seeing his most extensive action this season. He played a career-high 267 snaps on the offensive line this year, starting three games including playing full games against NC Central and Georgia Tech. He graded out incredibly well across the board according to Pro Football Focus, registering a 65.0 run block grade, a 78.2 pass block grade and a 67.1 overall grade. He allowed just two pressures the entire season and took just one penalty. He also was a major contributor on special teams, playing over 100 snaps there in each of the last two years.
As for Stewart, he played in ten games in his single season with the program, starting the Virginia game for the team at outside corner. He played just 75 snaps on defense, racking up seven total tackles and allowed four catches on eight times for 55 yards. While that may not seem bad, his 40.9 coverage grade and 46.4 overall grade were the second-worst on the team this season. He also played 32 snaps on special teams.
McGowan’s loss is the more significant of the two because of how productive he was this season and the depth the team has already lost there. With his entry, the team has now lost six transfers from the offensive line to go along with the graduation of Willie Lampkin. This makes it understandable as to why the team is still searching for help there in the portal despite three commitments already.
At corner, it is a loss but it is the first portal transfer at the position and Stewart was passed on the depth chart by Ty Adams during that Virginia game. However, with Alijah Huzzie’s departure, the team is likely looking into adding a starting caliber player at the position to go opposite of Marcus Allen.
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