UNC Football: Ranking the offensive position groupings

When Larry Fedora accepted the head coaching position at UNC in December 2011, the Tar Heel’s identity would drastically change for years to come.

Under Fedora, the Tar Heels began a transition from a defensive minded team to one driven by their offense.

With Fedora’s first recruiting class graduating this offseason and others leaving for the NFL; the offense faces a transition period.

UNC Football will look to replace the likes of Ryan Switzer, Bug Howard, Elijah Hood, TJ Logan, Mack Hollins, Mitch Trubisky, Caleb Peterson, and Lucas Crowley.

It certainly won’t be easy, but a few nice recruiting classes could go a long way for the Tar Heels in the future.

With nearly every position on the offense facing a major change, it is anyone’s guess how they will perform on the field come week one. Here is how they stack up on paper.

5. Running Backs

Losing your top three running backs is tough for any team to overcome. Elijah Hood, TJ Logan, and even the likes of Khris Francis will be sorely missed.

The Heels return one back who rushed the ball last season in Jordon Brown.

Last season, Brown rushed the ball 20 times for 45 yards to the tune of 2.3 yards per carry. These stats aren’t necessarily comforting for the designated bell cow running back.

To ease the loss of ball carriers, Fedora tapped into the graduate transfer market with RB/WR hybrid Stanton Truitt.

The Auburn grad accumulated 167 rushing yards and 100 yards receiving last season for the Tigers. He will add much-needed versatility and experience to UNC’s backfield.

Aside from Truitt and Brown, the Tar Heels look to lean heavily on true freshman Michael Carter.

The three-star Florida native has the speed to spark the run game in the mold of TJ Logan.

Rounding out the depth chart is linebacker turn running back Jonathan Sutton and true freshman Antwuan Branch.

At 230 and 225 pounds, one of the two should be on deck for goal line duties, especially considering they are the only backs on the roster above 195 pounds.

Running back will be a weakness for the Heels early on, but their potential could lift them above this ranking by season’s end.

4. Wide Receivers

Much like the running backs, the receiving corp has endured a mass exodus of talent in its own right.

The Tar Heels lose their top three wide receivers in Bug Howard, Ryan Switzer, and Mack Hollins. The trio combined for nearly 2,300 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns last season.

Austin Proehl will be the leader of the pack and poised for a big season. You could expect the senior to receive 100+ targets much like Ryan Switzer did last season.

How the depth chart shakes out behind him is anyone’s guess.

Thomas Jackson and Jordan Cunningham are the only returning receivers with above five receptions last season. Though Jackson showed a knack for big plays, the two upperclassmen have yet to show much in Carolina Blue.

The trio of Rontavius Groves, Juval Mollette, and Anthony Ratliff each offer the promise to develop into an outside receiver. Junior speedster Devin Perry is in line to fill the role of field stretcher left vacant by Mack Hollins.

Much like with the running backs, the Tar Heels simply lose more talent than they return.

UNC is set for a wide receiver by committee approach as they desperately wait for someone to rise above their peers. The talent isn’t terrible but pales in comparison to years past.

3. Quarterbacks

Mitch Trubisky and Marquise Williams aren’t walking through the door, but that doesn’t mean UNC cannot experience similar success from their signal caller.

Though Fedora has yet to name a starter, many expect graduate transfer Brandon Harris to fill the shoes left by number two overall pick Mitch Trubisky.

Harris will face strong competition throughout the summer from a bevy of talented backups in Logan Byrd, Chazz Surratt, and Nathan Elliott.

It’s unfair to write the three off, but there is a reason UNC was so keen on landing a grad transfer at quarterback.

With skill positions lacking experience, the Tar Heels needed a veteran to come in and lead the offense.

In three years at LSU, Harris accumulated 2,756 passing yards and 20 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

Most of these numbers were put up in 12 games during the 2015 season. Harris only played two games before getting benched this past season.

Expect the Louisiana native to rebound in UNC’s quarterback friendly spread offense.

Though he won’t experience the successes of his predecessor, he will be a formidable weapon in his own right.

2. Tight Ends

The Tar Heels have been looking for production at tight end ever since Eric Ebron was drafted #10 by the Detroit Lions in 2014. This will be the year they get it.

The duo of Brandon Fritts and Carl Tucker will help ease the loss bodies the receiver room faced this offseason.

Larry Fedora had encouraging words on the two in an interview with Inside Carolina.

“This year we’ve got two in Carl Tucker and Brandon Fritts who have a lot of experience and have played well for us in games. I am hoping to utilize both those guys throughout this year.”

The versatile duo will have their work cut out for them in catching passes, blocking, and lining up all over the field.

Fritts is more of a box out above the defense type player who will thrive in the red zone and block for teammates. At Only 6’2”, sophomore Carl Tucker will chew up linebackers and thrive in the intermediate game.

Don’t expect either to sniff Eric Ebron’s success in his record-setting last season at Chapel Hill, but their combined value to the team could rival what he once meant.

1. Offensive Line

The strength of UNC’s offense is their offensive line.

The Tar Heels lost a fair share of talent in Lucas Crowley, Jon Heck, and Caleb Peterson. However, they return a huge amount of promise in Bentley Spain, RJ Prince, William Sweet, and Tommy Hatton.

Bentley Spain is slated to start at left tackle, a position he’s manned for the past two seasons. Continuity at his position, in general, is huge to a team’s success.

Sophomore William Sweet looks to build off a solid season and anchor the right tackle spot.

RJ Prince appears to have a firm grasp on one of the guard spots while up and coming talent Tommy Hatton may move from guard to center.

Grad transfer Cameron Dillard from Florida and Khaliel Rodgers from Southern Cal expect to play a big role in the offense as well.

Dillard started 19 games at center during his career in Gainesville, and Rodgers has started 10 games over his career at guard and center.

Jay Jay McCargo and Charlie Heck offer promising young depth on the inside and at tackle.

A dark horse to possibly land a big role is guard Jared Cohen.

Cohen started two games and played in all thirteen as a true freshman in 2014 before leaving the team with personal issues.

There are bodies and talent aplenty taking residence in the Tar Heel trenches. If everyone stays healthy and lives up to their potential, UNC could have a special offensive line on their hands.