ACC Football - 2021 North Carolina Tar Heels Preview
Our North Carolina Tar Heels preview 2021 sees this team as being the best in the Coastal Division. And although by the end of the season we expect them to be at the top of the division, we do not believe that the Tar Heels will be able to win the ACC Crown. Last season, North Carolina was 7-3 in the conference and 8-4 overall, finishing tied for fourth with NC State. In 2020, the Tar Heels put the second-best offense in the ACC on the field. However, their defense was average at best. The good news is this team’s D sees some solid performers return, and they are ready to take the next step.
North Carolina Offense
The biggest weapon the Tar Heels possess on offense is QB Sam Howell. Howell, who threw for over 3,500 yards while completing 237-of-348 passes for 30 TDs and seven picks, is the best quarterback in the ACC. In 2020, he averaged 41.7 PPG and 537.2 offensive yards per game. Howell can be magical. However, he sees his top two receivers and top two running backs leave. Four players, RBs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and WRs Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, combined for 42 TDS. All are gone.
Still, there are talented replacements with sophomores Khafre Brown and Josh Daniels taking over wideout spots and tight end Garrett Wilson and WR Beau Corrales offering solid experience. Graduate transfer Ty Chandler, who over four seasons at Tennessee gained 2,046 rushing yards, joins the Tar Heels. Perhaps the best news is that the entire frontline, all seniors, returns. The group has combined for 112 starts and are expert at opening up rushing lanes and stifling pass rushes.
North Carolina Tar Heels Preview 2021 - Defense
Expect more from the UNC defense this season. Although they lose top tackler Chazz Surratt (91 TKLs), the Tar Heels welcome back the potent senior linebacking duo of Tomon Fox and Jeremiah Gemmel. Last season, Fox led the team in sacks (7.0) and tackles for a loss (10.5), while tying for the club lead in quarterback hurries (7.0). In each of the last two seasons, Gemmel finished second on the team in tackles with 84 in 2019 and 78 in 2020. Fox takes the outside and Gemmel the middle.
The defensive backfield is deep with corners Storm Duck, Tony Grimes, and Kyler McMichael being the anchors for what should be one of the best secondaries in the ACC. Upfront, the addition of numerous big, athletic players should greatly enhance the D-line’s productivity.
Specialists
In our North Carolina Tar Heels preview 2021, we wonder if grad transfer Ty Chandler and sophomore Josh Downs will be an upgrade when it comes to kick and punt returns. In recent years, the Tar Heels have been lackluster on runbacks. More is expected this season from placekicker Grayson Atkins who last season hit just 12-of-18 field-goal attempts. Punting may continue to be an issue, while kickoff specialist Jonathan Kim has proven to be an asset. Last season, he placed 76-of-89 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
North Carolina Tar Heels Preview 2021 - Projection
Our North Carolina Tar Heels preview 2021 is optimistic when it comes to this team. They’re in great shape at QB, have some fine replacements on offense, put one of the best O-lines in the conference on the field, and bring a defense with experience, size, and talent. We did say at the top of this preview that they will win their division but not the conference crown. That’s most likely true. However, if their defense can step up this season, the Tar Heels could possibly take down the ACC championship.
ACC Football - North Carolina Tar Heels 2021 - Predictions:
First Place - ACC Coastal
Peach Bowl vs. Florida