Highlighting the 2016 UNC wide receivers

An in-depth look at the UNC wide receiver corps    

This year the offense is looking to stay on pace with the 2015 squad. Since starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, and starting running back, Elijah Hood, will garner most of the attention, we decided to shift the focus onto the receiving corps for the Tar Heels.

It seems as though this group of guys don’t get the love and attention that they deserve. Seeing as this year’s squad should be one of the top trios in the country, we decided to shower them with a little praise.

Ryan Switzer

The all-purpose return man, and fan favorite, looks to create breath-taking highlights for one final season. The senior wide receiver from West Virginia is coming off a big year that included 55 receptions, 697 yards, and six touchdowns. Despite teams trying to hone in on his explosive return abilities, the two-time All-American still brought in two punts for touchdowns during the 2015 campaign. Switzer is mainly known for his role as a return man, seeing that he is the all-time ACC leader in punts returned for touchdowns with seven, and is one shy of the NCAA record.

Due to all of these accolades, Switzer was named to the Hornung Award watch list which goes to the most versatile player in college football. Committees and teams are starting to give Switzer the recognition he deservers, and rightfully so, because when Switzer gets the ball in space, breath is held, excitement starts to build like carbonation shook up in a pop can ready to explode, and anything can happen.

Now let’s leave you with some Ryan Switzer appreciation videos.

This first one shows you how athletic Switzer truly is.

This was originally posted by an NC State fan. Not really sure how they considered this an insult, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

Mack Hollins

Mack Hollins is a big 6’4 receiver who caught 30 balls for 745 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He led the NCAA in yards per reception last year (24.8), which really helped UNC stretch the field, and gave Marquise Williams a reliable down the field target. All of this notoriety led the former walk-on to be named to the Biletnikoff Award watch-list which goes to the best receiver in college football each year. If the line can give Trubisky enough time to air the ball down field, look for Hollins to once again be Carolina’s best deep threat.

Feelin’ good.

That is a former 6’4 walk-on with this leaping ability.

Bug Howard

We could insert a “bug being a pest to opposing defenses” reference here, but Bug Howard is much too large to be given such a weak metaphor. Coming in at 6’5, Howard is another major deep threat for the Tar Heels. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in yards per catch with 17.2 yard per reception. Aside from this, last season he had 29 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns. Howard’s role will be expanded upon this year with the loss of Quinshad Davis.

Bug Howard doesn’t want to be outdone by Switzer here.

(insert jumping like a bug reference here)

In all seriousness, we all know we are going to miss these guys. Switzer couldn’t have said it any better.

And finally, a highlight reel to get everyone hyped for this coming year.

Anndddddd if it is “too early” to get excited for the upcoming season, here is a four minute video of the wide receivers doing the cha cha slide. Man, I’m going to miss these guys.

North Carolina has three very good receivers to help Trubisky and the Heels put up as many points as possible. All three are seniors with ample experience playing under Fedora and his quick-paced offense. Sharing the ball to all of them will be fun to watch for one last hurrah.