North Carolina Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a couple of strengths that stood out at the spring game at Kenan earlier this month. The Tar Heels are loaded at running back, with four legitimate options for Coach Fedora in the backfield.

TJ Logan looked the best in the second half of last season as he learned the offense and excelled running the read option with Marquise Williams. Romar Morris is ready to take the goal line RB torch from AJ Blue while adding an element of speed to the Carolina offense. Khris Francis has looked really good in the screen game and should be in the mix for playing time next fall.

Two other wild cards remain in Elijah Hood, the super talented freshman who will push all the running backs for playing time, and Charles Brunson, who ran really well in the spring game. I think its fair to say running back is Carolina’s deepest position heading into the 2014 season.

Another strength for UNC is in all the young talent on the defense side of the ball. Lack of depth last season meant that younger players were thrown into the fire and asked to play important roles on a Carolina defense that should be much improved from last season.

All those young guys are a year older and stronger now, and they all showed flashes of that improvement in the spring game. Cornerback M.J. Stewart had a great spring game as a true freshman who enrolled early in January. Fellow defensive backs Malik Simmons and Brian Walker could each break out with over 10 interceptions next fall. All that young talent is a major asset for Coach Fedora going into his third season on the job.

The biggest weakness would be on the offensive line. After the losses of tackle James Hurst and guard/center Russell Bodine to the NFL, the Tar Heel offensive line is shaping up to be young and low on depth next fall. Tackle Bentley Spain enrolled early and played well in the spring game, but I’m not sure he is ready as a true freshman to hold down the left tackle position next fall.

Lack of depth and returning starters makes the offensive line a question mark for Carolina coming out of spring practices.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

On the offensive side of the ball, I’m looking at Bug Howard and Kendrick Singleton to break out as pass catchers in North Carolina’s spread offensive. The Heels have a lot of production to replace after the loss of Eric Ebron to the NFL Draft. Howard looked really good in spurts in his freshman season last year, and I’m looking at him to step up and be productive in the red zone next season for Carolina. Singleton had a good spring game but only six catches on the season in 2013. I see him catching 30 balls next year while stretching the field as a deep ball receiver for the Tar Heels.

Defensively, any of Carolina’s young starters on defense could break out and make an All-ACC team next season. Some of those names are the previously mentioned defensive backs like Brian Walker, Malik Simmons and Desmond Lawrence. Defensive end Justin Thompason also had a really good spring game and could break out next season as he tries to fill the gap on the defensive line left by the departure of Kareem Martin.

Grade each position group

Quarterback: B

North Carolina has two good options at quarterback for 2014 in Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky. The problem is, neither one really shined brighter than the other in spring practices. The starting quarterback battle will be the storyline to watch heading into fall practices. QB gets the grade of “B” for having two good options, but no firm starter coming out of spring practices.

Running Back: A

I covered the position in detail above, and its obvious that Carolina has depth at the position for 2014. The question marks are who shines brighter than the rest to earn the most playing time, and can the Tar Heel running backs all stay healthy next season? Grade “A” for depth and for the returning and new talent.

Receivers: B-

Replacing Eric Ebron will be tough, but wide receiver Quinshad Davis is up for the challenge. Davis should have a really big year in 2014 as he becomes North Carolina’s number one option at receiver. But behind Davis, Carolina has a lot of unproven pass catchers. Names include Jack Tabb, who is better known for his blocking, Ryan Switzer, better known for his punt returning, and Sean Tapley and TJ Thorpe. None of those guys proved in the spring that they can be the number two options, and because of that, wide receivers get a grade of “B-“

Offensive Line: B-

North Carolina’s linemen must replace three talented contributors from last season in the before mentioned James Hurst, Russell Bodine and Kareem Martin. I think Bentley Spain, John Heck, Lucas Crowley and the rest of the Carolina offensive line can do it, they just haven’t proven themselves in a real game yet.

Defensive Line: B-

On the defensive side of the ball, pass rushers like Norkeithus Otis and Darius Lipford should have good seasons if they can stay healthy. “B-” grade for North Carolina’s linemen coming out of the spring.

Linebackers/Secondary: B

Travis Hughes and Jeff Schoettmer are back to man down the linebacker position which was really thin for Carolina last season. Healthy seasons from both of those two could mean a big improvement for the Carolina defense. The secondary is talented and young, and I believe they are up to the challenge of replacing Tre Boston and Jabari Price. “B” grade for the linebackers and secondary of North Carolina’s defense.

Special Teams: A

Freshman sensation Ryan Switzer returns for his encore act to an incredible 2013 season. Switz looks to continue his electric play in the punt return game in 2014, although it will be much harder this coming fall as opposing teams avoid kicking to the nation’s best. The kickers were shaky in the spring game, but I’m not too worried. “A” grade for the special teams for Ryan Switzer’s punt returning talent and for having both kicking and punting specialists returning for 2014.

What can we expect from North Carolina in 2014? 

North Carolina went 7-6 last season, a win total that is almost sure to be eclipsed by this coming year’s squad.

UNC does play a much tougher schedule in 2014, with trips to Notre Dame and Clemson looming on the schedule. But the defensive should be better, the offense should be explosive, and I am expecting a win total in the range of 8-10 games as Carolina builds on its successes in the second half of 2013.

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John Bauman, editor of Keeping It Heel provided the information for our North Carolina Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Tar Heel  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow John on Twitter @bauman_john. 

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