The Tar Heels are looking for some young and new names to take over the load at running back for 2017. In this year’s NFL draft, Elijah Hood and TJ Logan were both picked up by NFL teams, with Logan being a senior and Hood leaving early as a junior.
Overall, North Carolina lost their top three running backs from last season that accrued over 1,500 yards in 2016. Now, head coach Larry Fedora is looking for some young men and new names to step up in their place to see if they can continue the ground attack that averaged 146 yards last year.
One player to really keep an eye on is sophomore Jordan Brown, a 5-foot-10, 190 pound back from the state of North Carolina. Brown didn’t see much action last year, playing in five games and recording 45 yards and one touchdown.
Brown however is a dynamic back and a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He not only can carry the rock but also be a receiving back out of the backfield.
Michael Carter is another young back to keep an eye on, as the early enrollee and freshman back has certainly impressed early on in spring practices in Chapel Hill.
“He’s very quick,” linebacker Andre Smith said. “In practice, there was a really small hole, and he was able to get through the hole and make a big run, I still don’t know how he did it.”
Also, look for Auburn transfer Stanton Truitt to receiving some playing time as well, as he has seen action in 20 games in three seasons as a Tiger. He recently made the switch from wide receiver to running back in 2016, rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
Back in 2015, UNC had their best season rushing the ball under Fedora, averaging 224 yards per game. That number certainly declined in 2016, averaging 146 yards per game. In a perfect picture, the coaching staff would look to repeat the numbers they had this past season and obviously exceed.
But with the inexperience the Heels at the running back position, along with the unknown names surrounding them, the coaching staff can only hope that one of their backs can step up as the lead back for 2017.
