The Tar Heels kicked off fall camp on Monday evening as they steam headfirst towards what is both a transitional season and an important one for Mack Brown. Exiting the spring, there were still a lot of positions on the two deep that were still up for grabs, meaning this will be a camp full of battles on both sides of the ball. Here is a look at the five that we have our eye on.
Starting Quarterback
The team has a legitimate battle at this position for the first time since 2018 and it’s one that could go down to the end. The biggest question right now is how many guys will be splitting the first team reps. Senior Max Johnson and sophomore Conner Harrell failed to create separation in the spring and the staff brought in senior Jacolby Criswell in the spring transfer window, meaning this may be a three-man race. Establishing how many guys they will be splitting the reps between is the most important thing for the staff to figure out and the hope is that someone can separate themselves early enough for them to be comfortable in the opener on August 29th. That seems highly unlikely, though, especially if they start with three guys taking those first team reps.
Starting Right Tackle
Outside of quarterback, this is the most important battle for the team to get figured out. Sophomore Trevyon Green was the guy who was starting at the position back in the spring and seemed to do a solid job, but the staff still wants to get a good look at Georgia Tech transfer Jakiah Leftwich, who enrolled this summer. This is another battle that needs to be decided quickly and there is a good chance it is, especially if Leftwich continues to struggle the way he did last year with the Yellow Jackets.
Starting STAR
Junior DeAndre Boykins may be back after suffering a season-ending injury, be he spent the spring at safety, leaving a battle for the STAR position. Sophomore Kaleb Cost is back after spending the majority of the spring with the baseball team and should be the favorite after a stellar showing back in December in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Redshirt freshman Tre Miller is his biggest competition after he spent most of the spring with the first team at the spot. True freshman Ty White can’t completely be counted out here, either.
Starting Field Safety
The thought was that when the team brought in NC State senior transfer Jakeen Harris it was to be the starter without much question. That doesn’t appear to be the case, though, after a strong spring from Will Hardy and Boykins move back to safety. It feels like Harris comes in with a slight advantage, but a better camp from Hardy or Boykins might be enough for them to emerge as the starter on August 29th.
Backup Linebacker
The Tar Heels are in search of depth at linebacker behind Power Echols and Amare Campbell and the race is wide open. Redshirt freshman Caleb LaVallee and sophomore Michael Short both had good springs and true freshman Ashton Woods showed a lot of promise prior to going down with an injury that forced him to sit out the spring game. Even sophomore walk-on Cade Law may have a shot here after he had a strong showing back in April. The staff is hoping they can find at least two guys that they can trust to play so that they can limit the reps on the starter and keep them fresh further into the season.
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