Draft Scout North Carolina Player News, College Football: North Carolina

2024 CFB/2025-2028 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page Draft Scout Top 12 NFL Prospect Teams for 2025 (Based on NFL Team Preseason Scouting Grades)

- #1 Oregon (17 players in Top 350 Overall) - #2 Michigan (14) - #3 Ohio State (14) - #4 Georgia (13) - #5 Texas (11) - #6 Notre Dame (11) - #7 Penn State (10) - #8 Iowa (10) - #9 Mississippi (9) - #10 Florida State (9) - #11 Virginia Tech (9) - #12 Miami (9) - 2024-2028 CFB 5* Star Recruits - 2024-2028 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - End of 2023 Season Risers - End of 2023 Season Fallers - CFB Player News & Notes - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Phil Steele/Draft Scout - Contact Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page - 2024 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2024 Pro Timing Day Fallers by Position - 2024 NFL Combine - Josh Buchanan's 2024 Top 100 Small School Prospects - End of Season Risers - End of Season Fallers - 2024 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2024 Senior Bowl - 2024 East-West Shrine - 2024 Hula Bowl - 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl - 2023 CFB Bowl Games/Playoffs - CFB Player News & Notes 12/03 Final CFB Playoff Top 12
- #1 Michigan - #2 Washington - #3 Texas - #4 Alabama - #5 Florida State - #6 Georgia - #7 Ohio State - #8 Oregon - #9 Missouri - #10 Penn State - #11 Mississippi - #12 Oklahoma - 2023-2027 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Phil Steele/Draft Scout - Contact Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

NFL Draft Scout History

- 1997 Coach Bill Walsh Draft Insider (First/Early NFL Draft Scout) - 2023 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2023 Undrafted by Position - 2023 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2023 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - Draft Scout Evolve: Player Rating Changes - 2023 NFL Combine - Draft Scout CFB Risers - Draft Scout CFB Fallers - 2023 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2023-26 #1 Georgia Bulldogs - 2023-26 #3 TCU Horned Frogs - 2022-23 CFB Bowl Schedule - EA College Football Game Pushed Back to 2024 - CFB Schedule/Roster/News Links - CFB Player Injury News & Notes - CFB Injuries by Year/Position

2022 Draft Scout

- 2022 NFL Draft Tracker - 2022 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2022 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Combine/Results - 2022 NFL Combine Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2021 Draft Scout Top 100

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Draft Scout College Football Player News: North Carolina

Previous 15 Notes

Next 15 Notes

08/28/22 - Drake Maye, rSo/2024, North Carolina + More +

Drake Maye threw four of his five touchdown passes in the first half in his first collegiate start and North Carolina beat undermanned Florida A&M 56-24 to open the season Saturday night. Six different North Carolina players scored touchdowns, with Josh Downs making two touchdown catches. Florida A&M arrived with a roster reduced by nearly two dozen players because of unresolved eligibility issues. The list of those absent included linebacker Isaiah Land, who led the Football Championship Subdivision in sacks last year.

Maye, a redshirt freshman and younger brother of former Tar Heels basketball standout Luke Maye, completed 29 of 37 passes for 294 yards. He had a couple notable achievements. He's the first North Carolina player to throw five touchdowns in a season opener and the first to connect for five touchdowns in a first career start. North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton scored on touchdown runs of 2 and 25 yards in his debut. He finished with 101 rushing yards on 14 carries. Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa threw for two touchdowns. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 279 yards with an interception. The Jaguars were within 21-14 until Downs' 2-yard touchdown catch with 5 seconds left in the first half. - North Carolina/AP College Football

rSo/2024

QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
News Source: North Carolina/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/21/22 - Bryson Nesbit, Sr/2025, North Carolina + More +

Well before North Carolina had any injuries to potential starters, offensive coordinator Phil Longo was exploring ways to get sophomore tight end Bryson Nesbit more involved in the offense. It just got more critical with starting receiver Antoine Green set to miss at least the first six games with a shoulder injury. Don't be surprised to see Nesbit split out wide at receiver. It's not a gimmick either; the offense isn't limited to certain plays when he is at receiver. "It's pretty open to everything," Nesbit said. "I mean, I've run the same offense that all of our other outside receivers are running right now."

Carolina isn't deep at receiver. In the spring, UNC coach Mack Brown contemplated recruiting a graduate transfer to make up for their lack of experience in the area. The position was depleted by the transfers of Khafre Brown, Emery Simmons and Beau Corrales. With Green injured, the Tar Heels have placed a renewed emphasis on tight end. Brown said they would consider going with "more two tight ends (sets) since Bryson can play both." The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Charlotte native got used to lining up wide in high school, where they would use his height advantage to throw fade routes and let him out jump smaller defenders for touchdowns. That's why Nesbit said his transition has been fairly seamless. "I would say it was pretty natural coming from high school, definitely playing 7-on-7 in high school as well," Nesbit said. "All that was playing outside receiver. I mean, it's fun. I love doing it." - Raleigh News Observer

Sr/2025

TE Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
Share/Comment: Here

08/16/22 - British Brooks, rSr/2024, North Carolina + More +

The UNC football program received some bad news, as they'll be without fifth-year senior and special teams captain British Brooks for the season. The injury woes continue for the UNC football program. First, it was wide receiver Antoine Green, who will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks with a collarbone injury. Now not only will the Tar Heels be without one of their top wide receiver targets, but they'll also be missing one of the players who was expected to make a big impact both in the backfield and on special teams this season.

Late on Saturday night, it was announced that fifth-year senior running back British Brooks will miss the entire 2022 season. The program is calling it a "lower-body injury," as the injury occurred during the team's practice earlier in the evening. This is devastating news for Brooks, as he was set to finally get his opportunity to shine in the Tar Heels backfield. After bursting onto the scene late last season, Brooks was slated to lead the UNC football program's running back room, one that is full of both talent and inexperience. His loss also drastically hurts the special teams unit, as he served as the captain of this group in each of the previous two seasons. For his work on special teams, Brooks has earned back-to-back special teams MVP awards for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. - Keeping It Heel

rSr/2024

RB British Brooks, North Carolina
News Source: Keeping It Heel
Share/Comment: Here

08/15/22 - Willie Lampkin, rSr/2025, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Willie Lampkin, Coastal Carolina, Jr C,...Tabbed the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches and media, Stewart also picked up preseason All-Sun Belt first-team honors and earned a spot on both the 2022 Bednarik Award and the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list following a record-setting freshman campaign in 2021. - Coastal Carolina Football

rSr/2025

OG Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
News Source: Coastal Carolina Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/12/22 - Zach Rice, rSo/2027, North Carolina + More +

Since coach Mack Brown returned to North Carolina in 2019, quarterback Sam Howell is the only freshman to start his first game as a Tar Heel. Offensive tackle Zach Rice and receiver Andre Greene will have a chance to add to that number this season. Rice leads the list of six first-year players for Carolina who could earn their way into the rotation and make an impact as freshmen. There's a common theme among those newcomers: Enrolling in January gave them a prolonged transition period and has them poised to play early. "If you just think, they've been through a semester now - three semesters of college really because you've got two in the summer and one in the spring - so they understand going to class," Brown said. "They've been through an offseason program and they've also been through a program with your strength staff, but also your nutritionist. So they've changed who they are with their bodies. And probably, most importantly, they had 15 days of spring practice with their coach. So they're so far ahead of the guys that come in and late June or early July." Rice, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound native of Lynchburg, Va., was ranked as the top offensive tackle in the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.com.

He's competing with Harvard transfer Spencer Rolland to start at right tackle. Even if he does ultimately lose that competition, he's assuredly going to be in the offensive line's rotation. Offensive line coach Jack Bicknell shaped part of his philosophy during his time in the NFL, where he usually had just seven active players so they all had to learn how to play multiple positions, and Rice has quickly taken to it. Fifth-year senior guard Ed Montilus said Rice is "naturally, pretty good." "You can move him around anywhere - guard, tackle - he just has a little bit more to learn with the technique," Montilus said. "But I think he's going to learn it pretty quick because he showed it throughout the spring that he's coming along pretty quick. I think he's doing a good job." - Raleigh News Observer

rSo/2027

OG Zach Rice, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Antoine Green, rSr/2023, North Carolina + More +

North Carolina Coach Mack Brown said senior receiver Antoine Green will miss the next six to 10 weeks due to a shoulder injury suffered over the weekend. The announcement is a cause for concern for the Tar Heels who were already inexperienced at receiver. "We get Antoine Green hurt on Saturday, it was a hitch and he turned inside and he got hit just running," Brown said. "So now he's out for six to 10 weeks. Hopefully on the six side of that - we're 20 days from (the season opener), hopefully, he'll be back by Notre Dame." Brown said Green had surgery on Sunday and was back sitting in on team meetings on Monday.

Green was second on the team behind Josh Downs with 31 receptions and 612 yards with five touchdowns last season. His best performances came over the final six games when he caught 20 passes including a 108-yard, two-touchdown outing at Pittsburgh. With Green out, Justin Olson has the most receptions from last season of the remaining receivers. Olson, a sophomore, played in every game but caught just nine passes for 143 yards and a score. But Brown said he wasn't going to make excuses for their inexperience. "Injuries happen, it could have happened in the first quarter of the first game," Brown said. "So you've got JJ Jones; you've got Dre Greene; you've got Gavin Blackwell; you've got Kobe Paysour; you've got Doc Chapman, Justin Olson. We've got to make sure that we get them enough work to get them in shape, and not get them so much running - because they're thinner - that they get dead legs." - Raleigh News Observer

rSr/2023

WR Antoine Green, North Carolina
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Antoine Green, rSr/2023, North Carolina + More +

When the news of Antoine Green's collarbone injury broke, those around the UNC football program held their breath as they awaited further news on the injury. On Monday, head coach Mack Brown provided the media with an update, one that isn't favorable for the Tar Heels. Brown announced that Green underwent surgery on Sunday night, a procedure that will sideline him for a period of six to 10 weeks. If all goes well, the hope is that the fifth-year senior will be able to return to action when the Tar Heels take on Notre Dame on September 24 in Chapel Hill.

This is a blow for the UNC football program, as they'll begin the season without one of its most viable offensive options. Green is coming off a season in which he was second on the team in receptions (31), receiving yards (612), and receiving touchdowns (5), while also finishing No. 12 nationally with his 19.7 yards per reception average. His big-play ability will certainly be missed, especially with the Tar Heels installing a new starting quarterback into the system. The hope is that his recovery will be a successful and speedy one, as the team will get a boost once he's able to officially return to the lineup at some point this season. - Keeping It Heel.com

rSr/2023

WR Antoine Green, North Carolina
News Source: Keeping It Heel.com
Share/Comment: Here

08/08/22 - Antoine Green, rSr/2023, North Carolina + More +

North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green is expected to be out 6-10 weeks after injuring himself in a scrimmage, Evan Abramson of Spectrum NC 1 reports. Best case: if all goes well he could only miss three games. Coach Mack Brown is hoping to have the wide receiver back for the fourth game of the season against Notre Dame in late September. "We get Antoine Green hurt on Saturday, it was a hitch and he turned inside and he got hit just running," Brown said. "So now he's out for six to 10 weeks. Hopefully on the six side of that - we're 20 days from (the season opener), hopefully, he'll be back by Notre Dame." Green was second on the team behind Josh Downs with 31 receptions and 612 yards with five touchdowns last season. His best performances came over the final six games when he caught 20 passes including a 108-yard, two-touchdown outing at Pittsburgh. - Newsobserver.com

rSr/2023

WR Antoine Green, North Carolina
News Source: Newsobserver.com
Share/Comment: Here

08/03/22 - Alijah Huzzie, rSr/2025, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): DB Alijah Huzzie, R-So., ETSU,...Started in all 13 games in 2021 … Finished third on the team in total tackles (76), including 2.0 tackles for loss … Continued to be a force in the defensive back unit with three more interceptions on the year, returning them for 56 yards. - East Tennessee State Football

rSr/2025

CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
News Source: East Tennessee State Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/03/22 - *Josh Downs, Jr/2023, North Carolina + More +

Heading into what could be his final season in Chapel Hill, could Josh Downs make some UNC Football history before he departs? Before his time with the UNC Football program officially comes to an end, standout wide receiver Josh Downs has the potential to re-write some of North Carolina's receiving records. As he prepares for his junior season, Downs has earned a ton of preseason recognition, most recently being named to the Walter Camp Award Watch List. After a very strong sophomore season, the Suwanee, Georgia native has put himself in the mix as one of the top potential available wide receivers in next year's NFL Draft.

However, Downs still has at least one more season in Chapel Hill and has some unfinished business to take care of in the process. Downs has the ability to challenge the school's receiving yards and receiving touchdowns record. Here's where the records currently stand compared to Downs' career numbers at North Carolina: Last season, Downs recorded 1,335 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. As he only would have to make a small jump in yards (114 yards more to be exact), he'd have to find the endzone almost double the amount if he wishes to challenge the record in a single season. - Keeping It Heel.com

Jr/2023

WR *Josh Downs, North Carolina
News Source: Keeping It Heel.com
Share/Comment: Here

08/02/22 - *Josh Downs, Jr/2023, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF YEAR PLAYER TO WATCH: Josh Downs, WR, junior, North Carolina,...Downs set program records in 2021 with 101 receptions and 1,335 receiving yards. He ranked third in the ACC (13th nationally) averaging 9.8 yards per punt return. - North Carolina Football

Jr/2023

WR *Josh Downs, North Carolina
News Source: North Carolina Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/01/22 - Willie Lampkin, rSr/2025, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: C Willie Lampkin, Coastal Carolina,...Lampkin, who enters his junior year having started and played in all of CCU's 25 games the last two seasons, is a two-time All-Sun Belt second-team selection and was a member of the 2020 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), ESPN, 247Sports, and The Athletic All-Freshman teams in his first season as a Chant in 2020. - Coastal Carolina Football

rSr/2025

OG Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
News Source: Coastal Carolina Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/01/22 - Myles Murphy, Sr/2024, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Myles Murphy, North Carolina, Junior DT,...A second team All-ACC selection in 2021, Murphy started all 13 games on the defensive line and ranked second on the Tar Heel defense with eight tackles for loss and four sacks last season. The Greensboro, N.C., native had 38 total tackles, three pass breakups and a hurry. Murphy has also been placed on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy. - North Carolina Football

Sr/2024

DT Myles Murphy, North Carolina
News Source: North Carolina Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/01/22 - Drew Little, rSr/2024, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCHLIST: Drew Little, UNC,... Little has been named to the watch list for the Patrick Mannelly Award presented annually to the player judged to be the best FBS long snapper. Little, a product of Richfield, N.C., is a second team preseason All-ACC selection according to Phil Steele. He has handled snapping duties for the Tar Heels the past three seasons and has compiled five tackles in his collegiate career. - North Carolina Football

rSr/2024

LS Drew Little, North Carolina
News Source: North Carolina Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/01/22 - Myles Murphy, Sr/2024, North Carolina + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Myles Murphy, North Carolina,...North Carolina junior defensive lineman Myles Murphy has been placed on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy. Murphy had 38 total tackles, three pass breakups and a hurry last fall. Murphy registered a career-high six tackles and a half TFL in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. - North Carolina Football

Sr/2024