2025 Depth Chart

[TW4945]

2025 Depth Chart
Legend: Duplicate, Redshirt, Injury

• Scholarships: 97

QB:	Gio Lopez 6-0, 203	Bryce Baker 6-3, 205	OR Max Johnson 6-5, 225	Au'tori Newkirk 6-3, 200
RB:	Davion Gause	OR Caleb Hood	OR Ben Hall	Charleston French	Jaylen McGill Demon June Joseph Troupe Jaylon Nichols
Slot:	Aziah Johnson 6-0, 175	Dayton Sneed 6-0, 196	OR Jason Robinson 5-10, 150	OR Vari Green 5-10, 195	Madrid Tucker 5-10, 170 Shanard Clower 5-9, 165
Split-End:	Kobe Paysour 6-1, 190	Paul Billups 6-2, 195	OR Nathan Leacock 6-3, 217
Flanker:	Jordan Shipp 6-2, 190	Chris Culliver 6-2, 195	Alex Taylor 6-2, 190	Adrian Wilson 6-1, 170
TE:	Jake Johnson	Connor Cox	Shamar Easter	OR Jordan Owens	Paul Barton Kenedy Uzoma Yasir Smith
LT:	Will O'Steen 6-3, 290	OR Eidan Buchanan 6-9, 330	OR Jakai Moore	Miles McVay 6-6, 350
LG:	Aidan Banfield 6-3, 300	William Boone 6-6, 340	OR Chad Lindberg 6-6, 315	Byron Nelson 6-3, 300
C:	Austin Blaske 6-5, 310	Christo Kelly 6-4, 305	Chad Lindberg	OR Aidan Banfield	Bo Burkes 6-2, 305
RG:	Daniel King 6-5, 340	Jakai Moore	OR Chad Lindberg	Trey Blue 6-6, 330
RT:	Jakai Moore 6-6, 318	Trevyon Green 6-8, 340	OR Jordan Hall 6-8, 336	OR Jani Norwood 6-4, 290

NT:	C.J. Mims	Isaiah Johnson	Devin Ancrum	Laderion Williams
DT:	D'Antre Robinson	Smith Vilbert	Leroy Jackson	Joseph Mupoyi	Peter Pesansky Nicco Maggio Trey Giddens Kamarion Thomas
Power Edge:	Pryce Yates	Smith Vilbert	Joseph Mupoyi	Austin Alexander	Emmanuel Nwaiwu
Rush Edge:	Melkart Abou-Jaoude	Tyler Thompson	Daniel Anderson	Chinedu Onyeagoro	Lantz Pascal
MLB:	Andrew Simpson	Mikai Gbayor	Timir Hickman-Collins	OR Evan Bennett	Jake Bauer
WLB:	Khmori House	OR Mikai Gbayor	Jonathan Agumadu	Tyler Houser
SS:	Will Hardy	Coleman Bryson	Jalon Thompson	Javion Butts
FS:	Gavin Gibson	OR Malcolm Ziglar	Peyton Waters	OR Greg Smith	Jaiden Patterson
Nickle:	Tre Miller	OR Gavin Gibson	OR Kaleb Cost
Boundary CB:	Marcus Allen	Ty Adams	Khalil Conley
Field CB:	Thad Dixon	Ty Adams	Tyshun White	Khristian Dunbar-Smith

K:	Rece Verhoff	Guytano Bartolomeo
P:	Tom Maginness	Jacob Horvath
LS:	Gannon Burt

 

[premn]

Looking at projected starter at C—why do you think the staff put Kelly up as one of the players eligible for preseason all-acc voting? To me that seems like they’ll think he’ll be good and presumably at center. Am I reading too much into that?

 

[TW4945]

Honestly, OL is where I can see about 4-5 different scenarios. I do think Kelly will play a major role. I also think our strongest OL is with Blaske at center.

But I didn't expect them to flip the OTs for the lefty. They did. Also, I was surprised to see McVay at RT starting camp, but then again maybe that is because O'Steen is new.

 

[tarheeltailgater]

So what happened to Jaybron Harvey? I haven't seen him listed on the roster but don't see that he transferred.

 

[gregh1]

WOW, this display/formatting is pretty amazing.

 

[gregh1]

But I didn't expect them to flip the OTs for the lefty.

Yikes! I hope this is a sign that all these guys are just equally good on either side, vs some type of desperate compensation.

 

[tarheeltailgater]

Yikes! I hope this is a sign that all these guys are just equally good on either side, vs some type of desperate compensation.

I think not flipping them would be a sign they are equally good.

 

[TW4945]

Yikes! I hope this is a sign that all these guys are just equally good on either side, vs some type of desperate compensation.

I think they want their longest, most athletic OTs protecting the blindside.

 

[JarHead01]

We have what we have at this point. I'm sure Bill will get the most out of his players. Hopefully accountability will be top priority for this staff as the past staff didn't seem to have the courage to make it a priority. Thus, the results were less than acceptable.

 

[Mjtrell]

Surprised to see you have Gibson at free and not the starting nickel. I wonder the same as @tarheeltailgater what happened to Harvey. Just a guess but I think Leroy will get more reps as the season go at DT.

 

[Bwilks1]

Which freshmen do y'all think will likely get a decent amount of playing time?

 

[tarheeltailgater]

Surprised to see you have Gibson at free and not the starting nickel. I wonder the same as @tarheeltailgater what happened to Harvey. Just a guess but I think Leroy will get more reps as the season go at DT.

I dont see him on the depth chart or the full roster.. I don't see any info that he left school.. I have no idea what happened or is happening with him and it seems to be a secret.

I ran across this article from TOS.. can't read it since it's VIP.

Scouting Report: Jaybron Harvey​

Jason Staples provides his comprehensive player analysis, with grades, stats, scouting notes, clips, and 2025 outlook.​

JASON STAPLESJun 9th, 6:45 AMVIP26

 

[iheartcarolina]

i am disappointed that we could not find another OT who can start and pass-protect.

 

[TW4945]

Which freshmen do y'all think will likely get a decent amount of playing time?

Short answer - none outside of special teams.

I think we could see Madrid Tucker, Shanard Clower as returners. I think Yasir Smith could be a situational blocker for us. I think we will see Bauer, Houser, and Butts on special teams.

 

[gregh1]

We don't have a ton of rangy WSDE-sized guys on the roster. Tyler Thompson might be the only non-frosh. I don't know if Austin Alexander or Chinedu Onyeagoro fit the bill as rangy WSDE types, but they were here in the Spring...

 

[TW4945]

We don't have a ton of rangy WSDE-sized guys on the roster. Tyler Thompson might be the only non-frosh. I don't know if Austin Alexander or Chinedu Onyeagoro fit the bill as rangy WSDE types, but they were here in the Spring...

I suspect we will mostly see an odd front. With a NT and 2 strong DEs. This helps fix some of the interior depth issue and plays into Smith Vilbert, Pryce Yates, Joseph Mupoyi versatility. I suspect we see 8 in the DL rotation (Mims, Johnson, Robinson, Vilbert, Yates, Mupoyi, Abou-Jaoude, Thompson). In this scenario, Thompson becomes more of a specialist pass rusher.

 

[TW4945]

Given Leroy Jackson was one of the players available for yesterday's presser makes me think he will play a much bigger role than I initially anticipated.

 

[gregh1]

Given Leroy Jackson was one of the players available for yesterday's presser makes me think he will play a much bigger role than I initially anticipated.

That could be great news or could be really bad news regarding Robinson, Vilbert, Mims, etc.

 

[TW4945]

That could be great news or could be really bad news regarding Robinson, Vilbert, Mims, etc.

I take it as good news in that he has taken a next step and will be in the rotation.

 

[Mjtrell]

Given Leroy Jackson was one of the players available for yesterday's presser makes me think he will play a much bigger role than I initially anticipated.

I thought so myself that's why I said in my previous post after you released your projected depth chart before the presser. I don't have any inside info just a former highschool football coach. But I've seen some clips of him on Twitter over the past few months. He looked really good and his body has transformerd.

 

[Jumpcut34]

Too early to tell who is ahead. Have they even started wearing pads yet?

 

[Mjtrell]

Too early to tell who is ahead. Have they even started wearing pads yet?

Yes they're in pads now

 

[HighHeelz]

1st post. Come over to check out the site. Is this the perceived depth chart so far, or is this the OP's thoughts?

 

[TW4945]

1st post. Come over to check out the site. Is this the perceived depth chart so far, or is this the OP's thoughts?

This is what I believe to be the depth chart - informed by logic, extensive history, current reading.

Obviously imprecise and lots of unknowns at this point - namely the OL. Also depth charts don't suit certain positions well that exhibit a ton of flexibility / versatility - like DL.

 

[TW4945]

updated for Blaske's injury and Leroy Jackson's emergence.

 

[unc80]

Jaybron Harvey isn't listed on our current roster on GoHeels.

2025 Football Roster - University of North Carolina Athletics

The official 2025 Football Roster for the North Carolina Heels

goheels.com

 

[tarheeltailgater]

Jaybron Harvey isn't listed on our current roster on GoHeels.

2025 Football Roster - University of North Carolina Athletics

The official 2025 Football Roster for the North Carolina Heels

goheels.com

I have been asking about him for basically 2 weeks and no one seems to have an answer to what happened to him.

 

[TW4945]

I have been asking about him for basically 2 weeks and no one seems to have an answer to what happened to him.

He isn't on the roster. He isn't on the team. If I had to guess, I would say he retired. Is that not enough?

 

[tarheeltailgater]

He isn't on the roster. He isn't on the team. If I had to guess, I would say he retired. Is that not enough?

Not about being enough... there hasn't been anything mentioned about him. He could have transferred.. could be sick.. could be suspended.. could have quit football.. could have been an error on the roster... it was a simple question that everyone seemed to ignore.

 

[Truthseaker1]

What was he ranked for the lazy and how many years did he have left?

 

[TW4945]

What was he ranked for the lazy and how many years did he have left?

He was ranked as an elite recruit. Had 3 years left. Was 4th on the depth chart entering this season. Likely would play ~100 snaps in total.

 

[Truthseaker1]

Thank you. Sounds like he got the Bill cut out of him.

 

[Sctarheel3030]

Any preference to who is under center? I say Gio but it’s just a hunch. Maxx may have to much uncertainty and be gun shy.

 

[TW4945]

Any preference to who is under center? I say Gio but it’s just a hunch. Maxx may have to much uncertainty and be gun shy.

My preference would be Baker. If he is able to beat out Gio then he is likely a 3 year starter before moving into the NFL. I don’t see that and there is a reason we brought in Gio. He is our starter.

I think if Johnson is our QB our potential as a team is 1-2 wins worse.

 

[gregh1]

Not about being enough... there hasn't been anything mentioned about him. He could have transferred.. could be sick.. could be suspended.. could have quit football.. could have been an error on the roster... it was a simple question that everyone seemed to ignore.

This type of thing happens every year. The football career ends due to grades, injury, homesick/family, mental health. Sometimes word gets out, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[tarheeltailgater]

This type of thing happens every year. The football career ends due to grades, injury, homesick/family, mental health. Sometimes word gets out, sometimes it doesn't.

Yea just with social media these days it seems folks want to tell everything going on so I was surprised not to hear much about him.

 

[TW4945]

I am going public. I have a secret man crush on Dayton Sneed. I think the kid is electric and a real sleeper. One of those guys who wins with smarts, craft, and short area burstyness. Like Hunter Renfrow, Ryan Switzer, and Julian Edelman. Today's 1v1 clip further cemented it.

I am making a bold proclamation and putting him 2nd on the depth chart in the slot. I think he is this year's sleeper WR and will see 100+ snaps.

And here is the biggest tell. You aren't bringing in a kid and giving him a single digit without expecting him to play a big role. And his HS hudl film is electric. Not sure how why he had to walk-on to Tennessee.

Dayton Sneed on Hudl

Watch Dayton Sneed's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy - Marauders / Myrtle Beach, NC

www.hudl.com

 

[fuheel]

According to the last IC podcast, Caleb Hood has seemingly lost some weight and perhaps this change will allow him to stay on the field more this year. I don't think any one RB will get a lion's share of the carries, but he may get more PT that I anticipated.

 

[TW4945]

According to the last IC podcast, Caleb Hood has seemingly lost some weight and perhaps this change will allow him to stay on the field more this year. I don't think any one RB will get a lion's share of the carries, but he may get more PT that I anticipated.

Hence why I flipped him to #2 on the depth chart. Also I think Ben Hall will get a fair amount of run given his blocking abilities.

It will be RB by committee, but it is really hard to bank on Hood given his injury history.

 

[gregh1]

The 247 guy, AJ, and also a site called tarheeltribune list Tyler Thompson on the two-deep for linebacker. They're both just listing Khmori and Andrew Simpson as the starters, with Gbayor and Thompson as their backups. Any other smoke that says Thompson is a traditional LB vs a WSDE or 3 front OLB type guy?