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The USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll ranked North Carolina No. 9 in its preseason football Top 25 poll released on Tuesday. It marked the highest preseason ranking since the the Tar Heels were ranked seventh to start the last season of coach Mack Brown's first tenure in Chapel Hill in 1997. Alabama was the overwhelming pick for No. 1, receiving 63 of 65 votes. Oklahoma, which was ranked No. 3, received the other two first place votes. Clemson (No. 2) and Miami (No. 16) were the only other ACC teams ranked. UNC will travel to play at No. 7 Notre Dame, which, along with the Hurricanes, is the only scheduled game against a team ranked in the poll.

News of the ranking didn't evoke much of a reaction from the Tar Heel players who spoke with the media in Tuesday's scheduled interviews after practice. "I know we have the talent to be in the top 10, I know we should be in the top 10 or higher," junior receiver Emery Simmons said. "We've got so many non-believers who don't believe in us that we should be there. It's like an 'if' factor with us. As a team we know there's an 'if' factor with other people on like social media so we're just trying to keep our head down and work." Brown has repeatedly stated that his team didn't know how to handle being ranked No. 5 last season and it showed in their loss at Florida State. But junior safety Giovanni Biggers said the Heels were better equipped to handle the expectations for this season. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#5 QB) Jr/2022

QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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08/15/21 - Garrett Walston, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 6-4, 241 (DS#51 TE) + More +

Garrett Walston's transformation into the rubber band man just might rejuvenate his NFL draft hopes and the tight end's role in the Tar Heels' passing game. Walston wanted to become a better blocker and route runner, and to do that he needed to increase his flexibility and agility. He took a very specific request into the office of strength and conditioning coach Brian Hess after spring practices to ask for a plan. Not just any plan, mind you. He wanted something that would incorporate a lot of the elements that would make him a complete player, like flexibility to help him get lower for run blocking. "I need a full plan on ankle mobility, hip mobility, running mobility, and I don't want it to be some one-page thing, I want it to be in depth," Walston told Hess. "I want it to take like 30 minutes to do, so they created me a personalized plan. And I went out to Wal-Mart and bought about every stretching ban and thick yoga mats so my knees could be supported."

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Wilmington native has stuck to the plan ever since. He breaks out those resistance bands and yoga mat and goes through his routine, no matter how tired he is, before going to sleep at night. He also does it before and after lifting weights. UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo has already noticed the difference from the spring drills to the start of fall camp. Longo said Walston has "the best hands on the team." "He's done such a tremendous job of developing his body physically," Longo said. "Hess and those guys have a plan for him. He's attacked the plan. He's much more of a physical specimen than he was before. So he I think he's a lot more than competent in the box now that makes him the true dual-threat tight end that we all would hope to recruit every year." - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#51 TE) rSr/2022

TE Garrett Walston, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/29/21 - Joshua Ezeudu, rJr/2022, North Carolina, 6-4, 313 (DS#13 OG) + More +

A panel of 147 media members picked North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell as the ACC's preseason Player of the Year on Tuesday. If that indeed comes to fruition, the 6-foot-1 junior quarterback would be the first time a Carolina player took the ACC's highest individual honor since Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor won the award in an eight-team league back in 1980. Joining Howell on the preseason All-ACC team were offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu and cornerback Tony Grimes. The Tar Heels haven't had three players make the All-ACC team since winning their lone Coastal Division title in 2015. Ezeudu, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound junior, is regarded as Carolina's most versatile offensive lineman. He started all 10 games that he played in last season, splitting time at both left guard and right tackle. Ezeudu was named All-ACC second team last season by the Associated Press. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#13 OG) rJr/2022

OG Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/25/21 - Sam Howell, Jr/2022, North Carolina, 6-1, 224 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Good luck getting a rise out of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell. The likelihood of it being his final season in Chapel Hill before being drafted in the NFL doesn't do it for him. He's never publicly declared he won't return for a senior season. Potentially making a six-figure salary this year thanks to the passage of college athletes being able to profit from their name, image and likeness doesn't quicken his pulse either. He siphoned that off to a marketing firm to handle for him with an emphasis on opportunities for the entire team to make money. Howell barely raises an eyebrow despite having his name thrown around in Heisman Trophy conversations. Part of the reason UNC isn't conducting a huge campaign for him is because Howell isn't interested in them doing so. "There are a lot of distractions, so what I've been trying to do is make sure I have people in place around me to kind of limit those distractions so when the season starts I can focus 100 percent on my team," Howell said at Wednesday's ACC Kickoff. "… I just want as much weight lifted off my shoulders as possible so I can really focus on football."

Those outside things almost seem boring to Howell, who spoke in such a low tone during his time on a dais it caused reporters to sometimes cut off his answers because they thought he was finished speaking. The one change UNC coach Mack Brown has noticed? Howell's body language when he's asked to give up some reps to the backup quarterbacks. "He's disappointed when we take him out," Brown said. "He's so competitive he wants to stay in there, but I told him, 'You're leaving, we've got to get a quarterback ready." - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#5 QB) Jr/2022

QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/23/21 - Sam Howell, Jr/2022, North Carolina, 6-1, 224 (DS#5 QB) + More +

The unofficial Sam Howell campaign for the Heisman Trophy kicks off Wednesday in Charlotte at the ACC's annual two-day media event, where the North Carolina quarterback will be as much the center of attention as any other player or even new commissioner Jim Phillips. To bolster Howell's candidacy for the award - Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler is the betting favorite, but Howell's right there with him - the university has prepared a massive publicity campaign consisting of: almost nothing. No posters, no notebooks, no billboards, no bobbleheads, no gifts, no gimmicks. If Howell wins the Heisman, he'll do it on his own. Which is exactly how both the quarterback and Mack Brown want it.

"Just as we did with Ricky Williams at Texas, we consider this a team award," Brown said earlier this month. "If we do well, Sam will do well." There are two subtle messages buried within that absence of messaging, one about Howell and one about the Tar Heels. Just as Howell has signed with an agent to handle any endorsement deals but has yet to actually sign any, a Heisman publicity campaign isn't really his style. Despite being the focus of the team for two seasons and a national star going into his third, he hasn't exactly embraced the public spotlight, although he certainly hasn't shied away either. He's done most of his talking on the field. The same will be said of his Heisman candidacy. There's nothing surprising or unusual about that. If anything, the Tar Heels' low-key approach to Howell's award chances says more about them. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#5 QB) Jr/2022

QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/21/21 - Jeremiah Gemmel, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 6-1, 225 (DS#22 ILB) + More +

After an impressive junior season, UNC Football standout Jeremiah Gemmel has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. Over the past two seasons, linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel has been a standout performer for the UNC football program. Heading into his senior season, the Newnan, GA native is starting to receive some national recognition. On Monday, the Maxwell Football Club announced their watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award. Gemmel was among the 90 defensive players to earn placement on this year's list.

Since 1995, the Chuck Bednarik Award has honored the College Defensive Player of the Year. The Award is in honor of Bednarik, who was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the NFL Hall of Fame. Over the past two seasons, Gemmel has been an integral part of Mack Brown's defense. The veteran linebacker has started all 25 games over that span, and was also named as a team captain prior to the start of his junior season. - Keeping It Heel

(DS#22 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Jeremiah Gemmel, North Carolina
News Source: Keeping It Heel
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04/26/21 - Ty Chandler, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 5-11, 203 (DS#15 RB) + More +

The Tar Heels lost two 1,000-yard running backs in Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, who will both be hearing their names called in this week's NFL draft. They also lost their top two ball catchers in 1,000-yard receiver Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, who led the team in receptions in 2019. The Heels were so young at running back that coach Mack Brown sought a graduate transfer in Ty Chandler, from Tennessee. Brown's philosophy with transfers is to only take a starter, so Chandler will have the first crack at solidifying the starting spot. But as the Heels showed with Carter and Williams, there are plenty of carries to go around. The battle to be in the rotation will be competitive and likely carry into fall camp. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#15 RB) rSr/2022

RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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04/19/21 - Jeremiah Gemmel, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 6-1, 225 (DS#22 ILB) + More +

Despite losing Chazz Surratt to the NFL, this group is still loaded with players that have gotten stronger, smarter and more explosive in the off-season. There are currently 17 linebackers on the roster but this article will focus on the top nine that will most likely see playing time this coming season. The two incoming freshmen, Raneiria 'Rara' Dillworth and Power Echols, will not be part of that group barring an unforeseen circumstance. It is not a reflection of their talent but just that they need more time to develop physically. At the middle linebacker position, we will begin with the two most likely starters. They are Jeremiah Gemmel and Eugene Asante. Gemmel is the quarterback of the defense who was a team captain in 2020. He had 78 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble. Asante has primarily been a special teams ace during his career at Carolina earning the respect of his teammates and coaches. - Keeping It Heel

(DS#22 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Jeremiah Gemmel, North Carolina
News Source: Keeping It Heel
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04/04/21 - Noah Taylor, rSr/2023, North Carolina, 6-5, 239 (DS#37 OLB) + More +

Even with two stars departing, UVa likes the players who may slide into starting roles this season. Two obvious projected starters are senior Noah Taylor and junior Nick Jackson. Taylor, an outside linebacker, dealt with a back injury last season that hampered his ability. He still finished with 44 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss, in nine games. The NFL prospect feels healthy as the team begins spring practices. "I feel a lot better, and I've just been waiting to get to this point where I'm starting to feel a lot better just so I can go out there and perform the way that I know I can and the coaches know I can," Taylor said. "I've definitely gotten a lot better, and I'm very excited to see the improvement." With Taylor healthy outside, Jackson fills a role inside. He's a physical presence, leading Virginia with 105 tackles in 2021. Jackson earned third team All-ACC honors last fall. - Charlottesville Daily Progress

(DS#37 OLB) rSr/2023

OLB Noah Taylor, North Carolina
News Source: Charlottesville Daily Progress
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02/24/21 - Sam Howell, Jr/2022, North Carolina, 6-1, 224 (DS#5 QB) + More +

North Carolina coach Mack Brown isn't worried about the hype from a Heisman Trophy campaign becoming a distraction for quarterback Sam Howell. Brown was a guest on the Charlotte Observer's Talking Preps show Monday and covered everything from his use of emojis in text messages to the difficulty of recruiting in a pandemic. He reserved some of his highest praise for Howell, who has started every game the past two seasons for the Tar Heels. Carolina has begun in earnest touting Howell as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, which Brown said he's very much behind.

"Some people are worried about Sam, going into his junior year, trying too hard," Brown said. "He will probably be a top round (NFL) draft choice next year and definitely right now considered a top Heisman candidate. But that he's not built that way. He's not going to worry about publicity. He wants to play and he wants to win." Howell led the ACC with 30 touchdown passes and 3,586 passing yards, which ranked sixth and fourth nationally, respectively. He's already tied the school record for career touchdown passes with 68, which is the most through a sophomore year in ACC history. And Howell still has never thrown a fourth-quarter interception. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#5 QB) Jr/2022

QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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01/12/21 - Ty Chandler, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 5-11, 203 (DS#15 RB) + More +

Running back Ty Chandler is transferring to North Carolina for his final season of eligibility after graduating from Tennessee. North Carolina announced Chandler's decision Tuesday. Chandler also announced his decision on Twitter, thanking Tennessee but saying he looks forward to a special season in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels just lost a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Chandler ranked fifth all-time at Tennessee with 3,291 all-purpose yards in 46 games. He also averaged 4.9 yards per carry with 2,046 yards rushing. Chandler also had 780 yards on kickoff returns, and he averaged 10.1 yards per catch with 465 yards receiving. - AP College Football

(DS#15 RB) rSr/2022

RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina
News Source: AP College Football
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01/08/21 - Tomon Fox, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 6-2, 253 (DS#35 OLB) + More +

North Carolina linebacker Tomon Fox announced through his Twitter account that he will return for another senior year. Fox is taking advantage of the NCAA eligibility waiver given to athletes from all fall sports that essentially allows for a do-over of their 2020 season ravaged by COVID-19. Fox, who is 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, led the Heels last season with seven sacks. He is also the team leader with 34 starts and 33 tackles for loss. He is currently tied with NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor for fifth place on UNC's career sacks list with 21. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#35 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB Tomon Fox, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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01/06/21 - Ty Chandler, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 5-11, 203 (DS#15 RB) + More +

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. The senior made 26 starts in his Vols career, rushing for 2,046 yards and ranking fifth in UT history with 3,306 all-purpose yards. Chandler rushed for 456 yards and four touchdowns on 100 attempts in 2020, when he was a clear No. 2 to sophomore Eric Gray. The Nashville native had more than 600 yards rushing in 2018 and 2019. He had a career-high 655 rushing yards in 2019. Chandler is a graduate transfer. - Knoxville News Sentinel

(DS#15 RB) rSr/2022

RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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01/05/21 - Garrett Walston, rSr/2022, North Carolina, 6-4, 241 (DS#51 TE) + More +

North Carolina and quarterback Sam Howell will have another trusted component on offense back next football season, with the return of veteran tight end Garrett Walston. Coach Mack Brown said Monday the senior Walston has chosen to use the extra year of college eligibility made available by the NCAA, and will stay on to play for the Tar Heels in 2021, his sixth season in the program. Walston had four catches in North Carolina’s loss to Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl during the weekend. - The Times News

(DS#51 TE) rSr/2022

TE Garrett Walston, North Carolina
News Source: The Times News
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01/03/21 - Michael Carter, Sr/2021, North Carolina, 5-08, 201 (DS#4 RB) + More +

2020 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD FINALIST: Michael Carter, Senior running back/return specialist, North Carolina,...Carter played in all 11 games as a big play running back and outstanding pass catcher who also handled kickoff returns. He averaged 8.0 yards per carry (third nationally), 10.7 yards per catch, and 151.6 all-purpose yards per game (13th nationally). Carter was second in the nation with runs of 10+ yards and averaged 10.4 yards per carry in games against teams in the Top 25. He compiled 308 all-purpose yards and two scores against Miami, and 251 all-purpose yards and two scores against Virginia Tech. Carter made the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll four times: against NC State, Duke, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, touching the ball three different ways and accumulating 100+ all-purpose yards and touchdowns in each game. - The Louisville Sports Commission

(DS#4 RB) Sr/2021

RB Michael Carter, North Carolina
News Source: The Louisville Sports Commission
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