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.

Tate has totaled 616 yards on just 20 touches this season, good for a gaudy 30.8 yard per touch average.

Tate is leading the Tar Heels with 231 receiving yards and two touchdowns while also racking up 125 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

He has also already broken the century mark on punt and kick-off returns, gaining 114 and 146 yards respectively.  He also adds to to his touchdown total with a punt return for a touchdown.

Tate already holds the ACC record for kick-off return yardage and is 473 yards away from the ACC punt return yardage record.

Tate’s name hasn’t been mentioned at all this season, even though he totaled over 200 all-purpose yards against Rutgers on an ESPN Thursday night match-up.

If UNC continues to win, earns a shot at the ACC championship, and Tate continues to gain ridiculous numbers, this wide receiver could be a dark horse in the Heisman balloting.

All I know is that as long as Tate the Great and his fellow teammates continue to win, Chapel Hill will be a happy place this football season.

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.

But, never the less, with the help of other ACC Community leaders, we bring you the ACC power rankings after week one.

Atlantic Division

Wake Forest (1-0)
Last Week: at Baylor 41-13
This Week: vs. Mississippi

Boston College (1-0)
Last Week: at Kent State 21-0
This Week: vs. Georgia Tech

Maryland (1-0)
Last Week: vs. Delaware 14-7
This Week: vs. Middle Tennessee

Florida State (0-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Western Carolina

Clemson (0-1)
Last Week: vs. Alabama 10-34
This Week: vs. Citadel

NC State (0-1)
Last Week: at South Carolina 0-34
This Week: vs. William and Mary

Coastal Division

Georgia Tech (1-0)
Last Week: vs. Jacksonville State 41-14
This Week: at Boston College

Miami (1-0)
Last Week: vs. Charleston Southern 52-7
This Week: at Florida

UNC (1-0)
Last Week: vs. McNeese State 35-27
This Week: Bye

Virginia Tech (0-1)
Last Week: at ECU 22-27
This Week: vs. Furman

Duke (1-0)
Last Week: vs. James Madison 31-7
This Week: vs. Northwestern

Virginia (0-1)
Last Week: vs. USC 7-52
This Week: vs. Richmond

Those are your power rankings for the ACC.

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.

The Heels also bolster their backfield with the addition of Jamal Womble.  The 13th-ranked running back out of Arizona could carry a big load for the Heels this season when starting running back Greg Little is placed out as an extra receiver.

Carolina also helps out their linebacker corps with the signing of Zach Brown from Hargrave Military Academy and Ebele Okakpu from Georgia.

Brown is an excellent athlete, winning both the 100-meter and 200-meter state championships in Maryland.

Both four-star linebacker prospects can make a big impact for a position without much depth.

Another defensive unit that needed to add depth this season was the defensive ends.  Head Coach Butch Davis took care of that with the signings of Robert Quinn and Quintin Coples.

Coples also attended Hargrave and has been compared to former UNC great Julius Peppers.  Coples’ 4.65 40 speed shows he can rush the passer, and he could see a lot of time on third down situations this season.

There were also a few UNC recruits that did not qualify this season.  Athlete A.J. Blue, defensive tackle Joseph Townsend, and linebacker Kevin Reddick will not join the Heels this season.

Townsend will enroll in the spring this year, and Reddick will attend Hargrave.

Davis’ second recruiting class may not have as many big names as the first, but he addressed the Tar Heels’ main needs and continues to fill the roster with athleticism and speed.

If the Tar Heels can continue to revamp their team and style of play, the Heels will be competing for conference championships for years to come.

For a complete list of 2008 UNC recruits, visit Insidecarolina.com.

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.

PK Jay Wooten/Casey Barth

2007 Statistics

None

The place kicker position this season is still up for grabs as redshirt freshman Jay Wooten and Connor’s little brother, Casey Barth, battle it out for starting rights.

With a school record 54 field goals to replace, whichever kicker replaces Barth will have large shoes to fill.

With so many close games played last season, the Heels could rely heavily on their kickers to not only put games away, but to win them as well.

P Terrence Brown

2007 Statistics

64 Punts

2650 Total Yards

41.4 Yards per Punt Average, 24 Inside the 20

While the place kicking game for the Heels may be uncertain, Carolina’s punting game has no such questions.

To me, Brown is one of the most impressive punters I’ve seen in person.  Head Coach Butch Davis stated earlier this preseason that he made Brown do a lot of directional punting last season to the young squad, which probably took 10 yards off of his average.

Davis said that with more experience this year on the punt team that Terrence would be one of the top ten punters in the nation.

Returner Brandon Tate

2007 Statistics

Kick Returns: 39 Returns, 939 Total Yards, 24.1 Average, Long 58

Punt Returns: 23 Punts, 216 Total Yards, 9.4 Average, 1 TD, Long 49

Tate is one of the most electric returners in the ACC, already breaking the ACC career record for kickoff return yards.

Tate scored one touchdown last season on a punt return, and has scored three touchdowns on kick returns and 2 on punt returns for his career.

If Tate has better coverage this year on his returns he will add to those numbers, becoming one of UNC’s all-time return men.

Well that’s it for my position by position breakdown for the 2008 Heels.

See you all on August 30 when the Tar Heels host McNeese State for their season opener.

Thank you all for reading the series and GO HEELS!

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.

CB Kendric Burney

2007 Statistics:

50 total tackles

One tackles for loss

One sack, one interception

Burney started last year as a redshirt freshman, making 50 tackles as the Heels looked to find depth at the cornerback position.

Burney gave up his position as a reserve outfielder on the Carolina baseball team so he can focus on football and head coach Butch Davis said that it has, “made a dramatic difference in him [football wise].”

Burney should have a good season for the Heels as he and the rest of the squad continue to mature.

CB Charles Brown

2007 Statistics:

59 total tackles

Five tackles for loss

One sack, two interceptions

Brown was another freshman starting last season as Davis tried to figure out the make-up of his team.

Brown finished with 59 tackles, tied for second on the team, and five tackles for loss; not bad in your first full season of play.

Along side Burney, this cornerback duo should put a lot of pressure on opposing receivers, letting their talented safeties roam around and make plays.

FS Deunta Williams

2007 Statistics:

57 total tackles

Two tackles for loss

No sacks, three interceptions, FF

2007 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

Williams had a lot of expectations for the Heels at the 2008 Media Day, expressing that the Heels would win the division and contend for an ACC championship.

And why should Tar Heel fans believe the young safety?

With only a year of experience, Williams looks to become a standout safety, not only in the ACC, but nationwide.

If Williams continues to bring his big play ability to the field the Heels have a great chance to keep every game close defensively.

SS Tremaine Goddard

2007 Statistics:

59 Total Tackles

2.5 tackles for loss

One sack, two interceptions, three FF

And now we get to the lone senior in the secondary, a guy who has seen the bad times in a Carolina uniform and may get a chance this year to start bringing in the good times.

Goddard is a hard-hitting safety, forcing three fumbles last season, and also finished tied for second in total tackles with 59.

If Goddard can stay healthy and be on the field, a combo of Williams and himself would be a strong, intelligent duo, and the senior leadership Goddard brings to the young secondary could be more valuable to them than any playbook ever would.

That’s it for the 2008 Tar Heel secondary.  Up next, the final installment of my Tar Heel Position Preview, the specialists.

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.

WLB Quan Sturdivant

2007 Statistics

47 Total Tackles

1.5 Tackles for Loss

1 Sacks, 1 Int, 0 Forced Fumbles

Sturdivant started last year as a true freshman, racking up 47 total tackles and a sack.

Having to learn on the run as a freshman is tough, but with a full year of experience and with the absence of former linebacker Durell Mapp, Quan could shine. He has all the athletic gifts needed to become a great linebacker.

It will still be a learning experience for Sturdivant this year, but he’s already ahead of the curve as far as playing time is concerned.

MLB Mark Paschal

2007 Statistics

53 Total Tackles

6.5 Tackles for Loss

0 Sacks, 1 Int, 0 Forced Fumbles

With the dismissal of linebacker Wesley Flagg early in the summer, senior Mark Paschal looks to take over the middle linebacker position for the Heels.

Paschal had 53 tackles last season, including 6.5 for loss, good for fifth on the team.

The middle linebacker is the quarterback of the defense, as all of Paschal’s senior knowledge will be needed to hold together a young but talented linebacker corp.

SLB Chase Rice

2007 Statistics

1 Tackle

Rice suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first game of 2007.

He has fully recovered and hopes to regain his starting position from sophomore Bruce Carter who played in his place in 2007.

A year to regain health and continue learning from film benefited Rice, but he remains a big question mark in 2008, because no one knows how much the rust of sitting out a season will affect him.

SLB Bruce Carter

2007 Statistics

25 Total Tackles

2 Tackles for Loss

0 Sacks, 0 Int, 0 Forced Fumbles

Carter was another talented youngster forced into playing last season.

Bruce racked up 25 tackles last season with solid linebacker play.

With Rice returning, Carter’s role for the season could be diminished, but I’m sure his athletic abilities will be utilized somewhere on the field by Davis and company.

There should be some fun and exciting fall battles between Rice and Carter for the last starting linebacker spot.

Along with these projected starters, Davis has brought in many talented linebacker recruits such as Kevin Reddick, Zach Brown, and Ebele Okakpu.

If any of these guys don’t produce, Davis wont hesitate to insert some of the new freshmen until he finds his starter.

Due up next on the position breakdowns, the Tar Heel Secondary.

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.

DE E.J. Wilson

2007 Statistics

44 Total Tackles

9.5 Tackles for Loss

5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble

Wilson started 12 games for the Heels last season and with Taylor gone the Heels will need big time production from this Junior help their interior line.

Wilson had 44 tackles last season and that number should increase since both Balmer and Taylor led him in that area in 2007.

Wilson finished second on the team last season in sacks, had two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble.  Who ever is on the other side of the line will need to help Wilson this season if the Heels want to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

DT Marvin Austin

2007 Statistics

26 Total Tackles

6 Tackles for Loss

4 Sacks, 0 Forced Fumbles

The former 5-star high school defensive tackles played in all twelve games for the Heels last season and started three of them showing the fans why Austin was so highly recruited coming out of high school.

The experience Austin gained as a freshman will prepare him for this upcoming season as the Tar Heels will need him to anchor the line stopping both the run and the pass.

Marvin has all the speed, athleticism, and desire needed to become one of the elite defensive tackles in the nation and if Butch can develop his talent, Austin could become his first All-American at Chapel Hill by next season.

DT Aleric Mullins

2007 Statistics

19 Total Tackles

3.5 Tackles for Loss

2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble

Mullins developed nicely last season, going for 19 tackles and 2 sacks.

With a strong line of defensive tackles including run stopper Cam Thomas, Mullins should be pushed this season to perform even harder or he may be pushed into the back of the rotation in 2008.

Whether is be Mullins or Thomas that starts next season, the inside line of the Tar Heels is a formidable foe.  Mullins is capable of getting to the quarterback, closing running lanes, and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

DE Darius Massenburg

2007 Statistics

11 Total Tackles

1 Tackle for Loss

0 Sacks, 0 Forced Fumbles

Massenburg is also one of Davis’ young, developing talents.

Massenburg had 11 tackles last season and is very good at both stopping the run and pass.

He may see less time on the pass as backup Darius Powell is a very talented speed rusher.  With the line having so much potential, the players will need to live up to the hype this season if Carolina wants to contend for a championship.

Thats your 2008 UNC Football defensive line.  Up next, the biggest question mark for the Tar Heel’s defense, the linebackers.

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.

WR Hakeem Nicks

2007 Statistics

74 Receptions

958 Receiving Yards, 12.9 YPC

Five Receiving TDs

I’m only 20, so I haven’t had the opportunity to see many great receivers in person, but Nicks is one of the most physically dominating players I have ever witnessed in college.

Let’s face it—Carolina hasn’t had much of a running game while he’s been on campus.  Yet through all of the double teams and constant coverage he saw last season, Nicks caught a UNC-record 74 passes and racked up almost 1,000 yards receiving.

The preseason All-ACC receiver will continue to be one of the best to ever play in Chapel Hill with the help of some run support this season.

I expect at least another 850-900 yard season, with six to seven touchdowns, and a First Team All-ACC selection at the end of the 2008 season.

WR Brandon Tate

2007 Statistics

25 Receptions

479 Receiving Yards, 19.2 YPC

Five Receiving TDs

Besides Nicks, Tate was the most productive wide receiver UNC had last season.

Tate is Carolina’s only other preseason All-ACC selection, for the Specialist team, but he’s no slouch at catching passes either, averaging a gaudy 19.2 YPC in 2007 while hauling in five touchdowns.

With most of the attention focused on Nicks, Tate thrived in the deep pass attacks Yates employed last season before his shoulder injury.

Look for Tate to score any way he can against opposing teams, whether it be from a kickoff, a punt, or the long ball.

TE Zack Pianalto

2007 Statistics

24 Receptions

204 Receiving Yards, 8.5 YPC

0 Receiving TDs

Pianalto was a pleasant surprise for the Heels last season, starting as a true freshman.

With a year of experience, Pianalto should understand the schemes offensive coordinator John Shoop wants to employ, helping him become both a better receiver and blocker.

Along with the wide receivers, Pianalto should benefit from an improved running game, hopefully seeing the ball thrown his way on some play action passes in the red zone.

That’s it for the offense.  In the next positional breakdown, I examine the defensive end position and the youth Head Coach Butch Davis has brought in to strengthen it.

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.

LT Kyle Jolly

Jolly is coming off of a foot injury but should be in good shape to start the season off.

The junior lineman is coming back to protect Yate’s blind side and the left tackle’s job of protecting the quarterback is a large one that Jolly is eager to take on.

In his second year under offensive line coach Sam Pittman, Jolly looks to continue the success the o-line had at the end of last season and make huge holes for running back Greg Little to race through.

LB Bryon Bishop

With former LG Aaron Stahl moving to center during the offseason, Bishop will be the only non-returning starter on the offensive line this season.

Bishop is a senior this year and even though he has not taken many snaps, three years of experience is hard to come by.

Look for bishop to succeed under the tutelage of Davis and the rest of the experienced, veteran offensive line in 2008.

C Aaron Stahl

Junior Aaron Stahl takes over the middle of the offensive line with the departure of Scott Lenahan.

Stahl has starting experience under his belt and as long as the center to quarterback exchange goes well throughout the season the Heels should be in good shape at the center position.

RG Calvin Darity

Darity is entering his third year as a starter and looks to excel as the rest of the linemen have gained experience.

Darity made 24 consecutive starts, showing not only that he as the football skills to excel at his position but the durability to last a complete season.

With Darity and RT Garret Reynolds heading the attack on the right side, the Tar Heels have a strong and senior led side to set the tone for the big games.

RT Garret Reynolds

As stated earlier Reynolds, a senior, is also entering his third year as a starter for this Tar Heel squad.

Reynolds has a high octane motor that sets the tone for the entire line and if the Heels have success, Reynolds could be an All-ACC candidate by season’s end.

Experience again can not be understated in regard to an offensive line and Reynolds has the experience and rive needed to be a top caliber tackle in the ACC.

That’s it for the offensive linemen, next up the talented wide receivers and tight ends.

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.

Greg Little

2007 Statistics

59 Rush Attempts

300 Rushing Yards, 5.1 Yards per Rush Average

Two Rushing TDs

After no one stepped up to become the feature back in 2007, head coach Butch Davis decided to ask freshman wide receiver Greg Little to step up and try his hand at the running back position.

And you know what?  It worked.

Little rushed for 200 yards and scored two touchdowns last season in only two games last season, including the game-winning score in overtime against Duke.

Now I don’t want to go crazy and say Little will be an instant star, but with a more experienced offensive line, Little could be more than just “productive” in the Carolina offense.

Little should be the feature back this season, but look for him to split carries with incoming freshman Jamal Womble, as Little’s “stand-up” style of running works great in space but may be troublesome between the tackles.

Anthony Elzy

2007 Stats

92 Rush Attempts

321 Rush Yards, 3.5 Yards per Rush Average

Five Rushing TDs

Elzy may have been the most productive back last season, rushing for the most touchdowns on the 2007 squad and coming in second in total rushing yards.

But Elzy failed to secure his starting job during the offseason and may drop all the way down to third on the depth chart this season with the addition of Jamal Womble.

Elzy is a very capable runner between the tackles, but he needs to prove to the coaching staff that he is capable of being productive every time he gets his hands on the ball.

Look for Elzy to be a contributor this season but not have as large a role as he did last year.

Jamal Womble

2007 Statistics

DNP—Incoming Freshman

Womble, the 13th-ranked running back out of high school last season, looks to make an instant impact for the Heels.

The 5′10″, 220-pound running back is touted as having great cutback ability and good tackle-breaking ability.

Look for Womble to get a shot as a freshman at running the ball, possibly taking some third down reps and carrying the ball at times when Little is slotted at receiver.

That’s it for the 2008 Tar Heel running backs.

Due up next, the men that block for them, as I examine the Heels’ offensive line.