2013 Outlook - North Carolina

2 years ago I predicted that the Tar Heels were primed for a National Title run.  Then the Butch Davis story wrote its next chapter, and his usual blatant disregard for NCAA rules landed much of the roster in hot water, and resulted in some studs being out for the year (Quinn, Austin, Little).  UNC did not make their title run, and Butch Davis was later removed.  Now Larry Fedora takes over, a very talented roster.  How will they do this year?

JR QB Bryn Renner will take the snaps again this year.  He put up impressive numbers as a starter last year. If he continues to fulfill his exceptional hype, and keeps growing he could be one of the better QBs in the ACC this year.  SO RB Giovani Bernard will be the primary ball carrier.  He broke the 1000 yard barrier as a rFR, so there are some lofty expectations for him as well.  Now that Dwight Jones has moved on, the biggest threat in the receiving game will be either SR WR Erik Highsmith or SO TE Eric Ebron.  I like Ebron, as he can stretch a field, and he has soft hands to bring in some of Renner's darts.  The o-line is anchored by two studs.  JR OT James Hurst and SR OG Jonathan Cooper both grade out very well as pro prospects, and I expect them to create holes for Bernard to run through, and walls for Renner to throw behind.

Whereas the offense seems stocked with talent, the defense is good, but not as good.  The past few seasons has seen North Carolina lose a lot of talent on their defensive front.  Robert Quinn, Marvin Austin, Quinton Coples, and Donte Paige Moss have all come and gone, and unfortunately, I am not enamored with any of the guys who have assumed their positions.  SR DT Sylvester Williams is probably the best of the bunch, but even he is not at the level of the guys who I just mentioned.  Along with the front, the linebacking corp has had a lot of talent in recent years too.  Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant, and Zach Brown have all moved to the NFL.  The difference here is that Kevin Reddick is still in Chapel Hill, getting it done.  He is one of the top interior linebackers anywhere in the nation, and I expect him to have another very good season.  The secondary is the biggest question mark for this team, as all of the players are athletic, but young.  May favorite of the group is JR S, Tre Boston.  I think he grades out as a nice middle round prospect at this point, but he could use this season to develop and really get himself into the early round discussion for the 2014 draft.

UNC is one of the more stocked teams in the conference.  They have play makers at almost every unit on the field.  The biggest question in my mind is what will the adjustment period be for the team to get used to Larry Fedora and his schemes.  If they pick it up quickly, this team could be part of the ACC title picture this year.