UNC Star Wide Receiver Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate started the year off labeled as a “return man,” but UNC opponents are quickly fining out that he’s more than just a handy special teams players.
Tate is leading not only the ACC, but is leading the entire nation in all purpose yards on his way to leading the Tar Heels (2-0, 0-0) to wins over McNeese State and Rutgers.
After this week we should probably drop the “power” from power rankings because the ACC looked as bout as good as Amy Winehouse after a crack binge.
It wasn’t just that the ACC lost, it was that they lost their marquee games on national television and they got embarrassed in those games.
Preseason ACC leader Clemson lost to a middle SEC Alabama, Virginia Tech was beat at their own game by ECU, NC State got whooped behind the wood shed Thursday night, and Virginia was completely out-manned by USC.
A 7-4 mark wouldn’t normally be as bad, but this was a big week for the ACC to make a name for itself. Instead the conference crumbled and folded.
Future UNC Wide Receiver Dwight Jones
With the Dwight Jones situation finally solved, the North Carolina Tar Heels have finally set their 2008 recruiting class.
The story of Jones has been well documented, and now that it is official that he will be with the Heels, he can finally start practicing with the team.
Jones has been touted as having great route-running abilities, good size, and good instinct at the wide receiver position. Jones can be a great possession receiver and a large threat in the red zone for the Heels over the next two seasons.
Former UNC Great Connor Barth
The special team area is an aspect of the game the Tar Heels have not had to worry about for the last four years since star place kicker Connor Barth took the field.
With the loss of deep snapper Michael Murphy and holder Ryan Baucom, the Heels will be young and inexperienced in the special team game, not exactly a comfortable position for an up and coming team.
ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Deunta Williams
Besides the defensive tackles, the UNC secondary is probably the strongest area of the Tar Heel defense.
The Heels return all four starters, an area where experience was lacking last year.
With three sophomores and a senior starting this year, UNC could have one of the most dominant secondaries in the ACC.
North Carolina Linebacker Quan Sturdivant
Last year was a desperate time for linebackers at North Carolina, as the unit has lacked talent and depth as of late.
Seeing the predicament he was in, Head Coach Butch Davis threw two of his most athletic freshmen, Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, into the lion’s den. He asking them to play substantial minutes in the 2007 campaign.
The linebacker questions still may not be solved, but Butch is bringing some talented players to Chapel Hill at the linebacker position for the future. This still may be the weakest area for an improving Tar Heel team.
UNC's Big Defensive Lineman Marvin Austin
As we move from the offensive to defensive side of the ball, we first check in with the defensive line.
Carolina loses two NFL draft picks from their starting line in first-rounder Kentwan Balmer and seventh-rounder Hilee Taylor but that shouldn’t stop the Heels this season as they have one of the best interior defensive lines in the conference.
UNC Star Receiver Hakeem Nicks
Besides Clemson, the UNC receiving core is probably the top group in the conference.
With Greg Little at running back this season, junior wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, senior wide receiver Brandon Tate, and sophomore tight end Zach Pianalto will probably see less balls thrown their way, but hopefully they can still keep up the success the stars had last season.
Offensive Lineman Kyle Jolly hopes to anchor the Heels in 2008.
As my position preview of the 2008 Tar Heels continues we get to the positions that many casual fans overlook, the offensive line.
Any diehard football fan can tell you that the big men up front set the tone for the entire season and that their success determines the success for the entire team.
With that said, here is your starting offensive line for the 2008 Tar Heels.
UNC Running Back Greg Little
A little known fact about North Carolina was that before USC took over the moniker, the Tar Heels were known as Tailback U.
It’s been over 10 seasons since the Heels had a 1,000-yard rusher, but this season could end that streak, as running back Greg Little looks to take over for a less than productive 2007 tandem.
