2025 Depth Chart

[TW4945]

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?

My best guess is that they will play an odd front with 3 DL. Then you will have 2 LB spots. Simpson seems destined to be always on the field and I suspect Gbayor/House will be the other primary LB based on the opponent. For more spread offenses it will be House, for more run heavy it will be Gbayor. Then you will have a flex position. That will either be a standup, rush LB (Thompson, Daniel Anderson type) or a coverage LB (Greg Smith) or just your traditional nickel.

Also in pass situations I think we will bring in a DL of Robinson and Vilbert/Yates at DT, Melkart Thompson at DE. That is a lot of speed and athleticism on the field there.

 

[TW4945]

Updated the OL based on some new info. Shocking update really.

Do people like when I include heights and weights, or no? I'm 50/50. Like that you can see certain things - like Jason Robinson needs to add weight and how undersized O'Steen is. But also it looks cluttered.

 

[fuheel]

That would be quite the surprise. I say yes on heights/weights, but if it is too much work then don't worry about it.

You hope that the coaching staff does a better job of fitting players into certain situations based on their strengths; this skill of Coach Belichick could make a big difference.

 

[Truthseaker1]

If Hood is healthy and slimmed down like high school then he is an elite athlete that is as good as any. Look for fireworks.

 

[TW4945]

If Hood is healthy and slimmed down like high school then he is an elite athlete that is as good as any. Look for fireworks.

I'm not terribly worried about RB with Gause (who I am not as high on as others), Hood (who you cannot fully trust), Hall (who has been a big surprise), and McGill (who could actually see some time this year).

What gives me nightmares about this team is the DL. Plain and simple. What keeps me up at night is OL, both the tackles and the interior.

 

[Truthseaker1]

I'm not terribly worried about RB with Gause (who I am not as high on as others), Hood (who you cannot fully trust), Hall (who has been a big surprise), and McGill (who could actually see some time this year).

What gives me nightmares about this team is the DL. Plain and simple. What keeps me up at night is OL, both the tackles and the interior.

For some strange reason I am no longer concerned about defense or special teams.
I always worry about the o line.

 

[TW4945]

For some strange reason I am no longer concerned about defense or special teams.
I always worry about the o line.

Why not worried about the interior of the DL?

 

[Truthseaker1]

Why not worried about the interior of the DL?

1. I try not to worry about things that someone else can take care of.
I don’t think there is anyone better that we could have taking care of defense than BB.
When Mack came back I said to myself at least the defense will get better. He always handled that well. It didn’t take me long however to realize he had no clue this time how to make it better.

I saw what BB’s son did with Washington and I believe they have the concept on how to stop college offenses. It’s great to stack that system with 5 stars but I don’t think it’s necessary.

I believe he will find what we do well and run a system to fit the talent. To put it Carolina terms i believe the team will be more Dean coached than say , Roy dough, or Hubert. They all want the players to fit the system.

put it simply our defense is in good hands until it’s proven fact that it’s not.

 

[TW4945]

Of the 31 man recruiting class, 27 recruits remain (Merrill focusing on lax, Haynes & Nwabuisi-Ezeala, Cobb pushed out). Here is who I expect to contribute and lose their redshirt this year

1. OT - Eidan Buchanan
2. RB - Jaylen McGill
3. LB - Tyler Houser - special teams
4. LB - Jake Bauer - special teams

 

[fuheel]

Saw you bumped up Alex Taylor; I suppose the media availability is one sign of where he sits. A number of players could emerge at WR so it will be interesting to see how playing time develops.

 

[fuheel]

Of the 31 man recruiting class, 27 recruits remain (Merrill focusing on lax, Haynes & Nwabuisi-Ezeala, Cobb pushed out). Here is who I expect to contribute and lose their redshirt this year

1. OT - Eidan Buchanan
2. RB - Jaylen McGill
3. LB - Tyler Houser - special teams
4. LB - Jake Bauer - special teams

I bet Bryce Baker will play, even if it is just because Gio Lopez probably won't stay healthy the whole year.

 

[TW4945]

I bet Bryce Baker will play, even if it is just because Gio Lopez probably won't stay healthy the whole year.

I suspect he (and others) will play. I just expect them to play in less than 4 games and maintain their redshirt.

That said, it seems like Max Johnson is doing incredibly well and he is the current backup. Given it is his last year, Baker may only see the field in the last drive of a trash game. IMHO if he sees the field more than 20 snaps then Gio got hurt and Johnson isn't the answer.

 

[gregh1]

In the last practice, looking at the DL - and in the first few mins
I noticed Tyler Thompson and Danield Anderson with DL group. Those two and Pryce Yates are smaller than the rest and they're the only guys not wearing some type of knee brace. Could be nothing, but could be a sign supporting TW's odd-front theory, and Yates/Anderson/Thompson/ are the "rush edge" "OLB" backer in that odd front or situational WSDE players. Melkhart did have the brace and he's looking a little thicker than Yates.

 

[randman]

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.

So is it Lindberg or Banfield at center now?

 

[TW4945]

So is it Lindberg or Banfield at center now?

Kelly (injured), Lindberg, Banfield is the order

 

[upstateheel]

Lindberg is a bit of a problem. He's 6-6, a tall guy. How does that work under center and in blocking schemes? Bill may have to shuttle in somebody like Bo Burks if there are issues. Bill will figure it out.

 

[TW4945]

Lindberg is a bit of a problem. He's 6-6, a tall guy. How does that work under center and in blocking schemes? Bill may have to shuttle in somebody like Bo Burks if there are issues. Bill will figure it out.

I would guess that Belichick is using Lindberg/Banfield because Burkes isn't up to stuff (a walk-on) and none of the freshman (Nelson) are likely ready.

 

[TW4945]

Nailed QB1

In all seriousness, congrats to those who celebrate UNC football as they do xmas or thanksgiving. I cannot wait for this season and to see what adults can do for this program. IMHO an adult hasn't been in the room since Butch Davis (when I was with the team).

 

[Truthseaker1]

Nailed QB1

In all seriousness, congrats to those who celebrate UNC football as they do xmas or thanksgiving. I cannot wait for this season and to see what adults can do for this program. IMHO an adult hasn't been in the room since Butch Davis (when I was with the team).

It’s been a while. I have hope for the first time since Holden set his bomb off. I just don’t believe we are going to step in it anymore. We might get out talented but I don’t believe will kickoff to start the 1st and 3rd, need sparky to screw up timeouts or sacrifice chickens in the stadium to save jobs.

this shouldn’t take long if it’s going to work.

 

[TW4945]

I will be watching the game in detail, and likely re-rewatching Tuesday in an effort to get an accurate depth chart in place.

 

[Johnnymac128]

Of the 31 man recruiting class, 27 recruits remain (Merrill focusing on lax, Haynes & Nwabuisi-Ezeala, Cobb pushed out). Here is who I expect to contribute and lose their redshirt this year

1. OT - Eidan Buchanan
2. RB - Jaylen McGill
3. LB - Tyler Houser - special teams
4. LB - Jake Bauer - special teams

Surprised by Merrill. He was so jacked for the football offer. Makes me wonder if he was also “pushed out”… not gonna effect the team, but i like seeing two sport guys out there. Rare breed, and getting rarer…

 

[TW4945]

An absolutely pathetic performance that highlights just how far we are from being a top program. We have significant needs up front on the DL and in the middle in the OL.

I still stand by my 7 win prediction.

I also see another year of significant roster turnover. We just don't have the horses and the horses we need are in places you can't recruit for immediate needs. The concern is those pieces cost a lot of money. And we don't benefit from a draft, but instead it is an auction process. So coming into that scenario our hands are tied.

That said, I still don't understand how Carolina consistently cannot put together a serviceable defense. Look across the spectrum. There are far less talented teams with far less resources who continue to put up serviceable to good defenses year after year. I'm befuddled and frankly very discouraged this AM.

I thought our arc would be year 1 - bowl game, year 2 - compete for a conference championship year 3 - be a conference champion contender and compete for a playoff spot.

I still think we are a bowl team but we are a few years away from competing for a conference championship. Miami, Clemson, Florida State would destroy us at this point.

 

[JarHead01]

An absolutely pathetic performance that highlights just how far we are from being a top program. We have significant needs up front on the DL and in the middle in the OL.

I still stand by my 7 win prediction.

I also see another year of significant roster turnover. We just don't have the horses and the horses we need are in places you can't recruit for immediate needs. The concern is those pieces cost a lot of money. And we don't benefit from a draft, but instead it is an auction process. So coming into that scenario our hands are tied.

That said, I still don't understand how Carolina consistently cannot put together a serviceable defense. Look across the spectrum. There are far less talented teams with far less resources who continue to put up serviceable to good defenses year after year. I'm befuddled and frankly very discouraged this AM.

I thought our arc would be year 1 - bowl game, year 2 - compete for a conference championship year 3 - be a conference champion contender and compete for a playoff spot.

I still think we are a bowl team but we are a few years away from competing for a conference championship. Miami, Clemson, Florida State would destroy us at this point.

Is it truly coaching alongside less talent? Bill hired his son for our defensive issues. Yet we see the same lack of tackling and being in positions to make plays. Would someone like Matt Patricia have been better? I don't know. It seriously seems like some kind of spell or hex we have going on in UNC football. Hopefully Bill earns his money and figures this out. If teams with equal or less talent are having better results...then what is happening here??

 

[TW4945]

I have updated the depth chart to the best of my knowledge. Here are some additional factoids:

True Freshman Players: OT - Eidan Buchanan, RB - Jaylen McGill, DT - Devon Ancrum, LB - Jake Bauer, DL - Xavier Lewis

Good News: Thad Dixon is the real deal, Leroy Jackson took the next step. Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing

What the Heck?!: Malcolm Ziglar seeing no snaps, Davion Gause not taking a next step, Jake Johnson not taking a next step, dissapointing WR play, Gio Lopez, lack of interior OL, lack of any pass rush, lack of interior DL,

 

[randman]

I have updated the depth chart to the best of my knowledge. Here are some additional factoids:

True Freshman Players: OT - Eidan Buchanan, RB - Jaylen McGill, DT - Devon Ancrum, LB - Jake Bauer, DL - Xavier Lewis

Good News: Thad Dixon is the real deal, Leroy Jackson took the next step. Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing

What the Heck?!: Malcolm Ziglar seeing no snaps, Davion Gause not taking a next step, Jake Johnson not taking a next step, dissapointing WR play, Gio Lopez, lack of interior OL, lack of any pass rush, lack of interior DL,

You think BB will start Max Johnson?

 

[TW4945]

You think BB will start Max Johnson?

After that performance - everyone's job should be up for grabs.

We have 2 preseason games to continue to test / edit / enhance before another test in UCF. Luckily, UCF didn't look as good as I thought coming into the season.

 

[randman]

After that performance - everyone's job should be up for grabs.

We have 2 preseason games to continue to test / edit / enhance before another test in UCF. Luckily, UCF didn't look as good as I thought coming into the season.

They better get a move-on.

We could really have used Beau Atkinson last night. One wonders if we overpaid Geo and skimped on the D-line?

 

[FatbabyHeel]

While you have to be careful not to jump to conclusions, I think you have to go with Max Johnson moving forward. Gio didn't look the part at all outside of that first drive. The fact that he only attempted 10 passes tells me the coaching staff has no confidence in his passing ability and based on what we saw I think that lack of confidence is warranted. At least Max has played power 5 football. If we can't balance the play selection we might as well throw in the towel now.

 

[judnnc]

one wonders if we overpaid Gio? CLEARLY.

 

[UNCBullMarket]

one wonders if we overpaid Gio? CLEARLY.

You can go back to the old site days and I was worried about that then and got skewered by a few on here for insinuating that. We were desperate to land a QB in the portal, and there were not a lot of proven names available. His numbers were solid, but not amazing, and that was at South Alabama...not against power conference opposition week in and week out. I also watched some film and listened to some of the analyst reviews about him....that he was on the smallish side, didn't have elite arm strength, or elite mobility. Good enough to have good numbers against South Alabama's schedule, but lots of doubts that he could come in here and be a big difference maker.

He still may end up being the best QB on our roster, we'll see, but last night was brutal. That being said, he was getting a lot of really bad snaps from our backup center which was throwing off the timing of plays, our OLine was getting bullied, we couldn't run the ball, and receivers dropped multiple balls that should have been caught. I remember the last throw Lopez made was a rollout and he went deep and hit the wide open WR right in the hands, and it was dropped. He fumbled running for his life on the very next play and that was that.

So I'm not giving up on him, but I 1000000% agree that we absolutely overpaid for him. That QB situation is definitely something to watch...Max definitely made a case that he should get a chance to play over Lopez, but Max's lack of mobility is probably going to be an issue at some point. But if he can get the ball out on time, not take sacks, and not turn the ball over, then he should start.

Also, if this continues to go sideways, I'd rather us just hand the keys to Bryce and start grooming him to be the QB of the future.

 

[FatbabyHeel]

You can go back to the old site days and I was worried about that then and got skewered by a few on here for insinuating that. We were desperate to land a QB in the portal, and there were not a lot of proven names available. His numbers were solid, but not amazing, and that was at South Alabama...not against power conference opposition week in and week out. I also watched some film and listened to some of the analyst reviews about him....that he was on the smallish side, didn't have elite arm strength, or elite mobility. Good enough to have good numbers against South Alabama's schedule, but lots of doubts that he could come in here and be a big difference maker.

He still may end up being the best QB on our roster, we'll see, but last night was brutal. That being said, he was getting a lot of really bad snaps from our backup center which was throwing off the timing of plays, our OLine was getting bullied, we couldn't run the ball, and receivers dropped multiple balls that should have been caught. I remember the last throw Lopez made was a rollout and he went deep and hit the wide open WR right in the hands, and it was dropped. He fumbled running for his life on the very next play and that was that.

So I'm not giving up on him, but I 1000000% agree that we absolutely overpaid for him. That QB situation is definitely something to watch...Max definitely made a case that he should get a chance to play over Lopez, but Max's lack of mobility is probably going to be an issue at some point. But if he can get the ball out on time, not take sacks, and not turn the ball over, then he should start.

Also, if this continues to go sideways, I'd rather us just hand the keys to Bryce and start grooming him to be the QB of the future.

I would like to think that BB could employ the same offensive strategy that he had with TB12....lots of intermediate routs to get the ball out quickly and then mix in deep balls. If my memory serves me correctly during their success TB12 had one of the quickest times in getting rid of the ball. Quick 5-8 yard gains helps build a rhythm that opens up other possibilities

 

[gregh1]

I have updated the depth chart to the best of my knowledge. Here are some additional factoids:

True Freshman Players: OT - Eidan Buchanan, RB - Jaylen McGill, DT - Devon Ancrum, LB - Jake Bauer, DL - Xavier Lewis

Good News: Thad Dixon is the real deal, Leroy Jackson took the next step. Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing

What the Heck?!: Malcolm Ziglar seeing no snaps, Davion Gause not taking a next step, Jake Johnson not taking a next step, dissapointing WR play, Gio Lopez, lack of interior OL, lack of any pass rush, lack of interior DL,

I'm not sure if " Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing" is a good thing. Both true frosh, one a former walkon. Good on the coaches to build depth and try to keep starters fresh, but you'd hope to have someone else in the 3-deep. Xavier played 18 snaps.

 

[TarMakhTar]

We could go from D- to D in the trenches with the return of Blaske and Yates.

 

[TW4945]

I'm not sure if " Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing" is a good thing. Both true frosh, one a former walkon. Good on the coaches to build depth and try to keep starters fresh, but you'd hope to have someone else in the 3-deep. Xavier played 18 snaps.

1) yes I agree
2) I think true freshman playing early in the season is an indication they are of quality and could take another step next year.
3) yes. Fully admit it is less than ideal and signals serious depth issues too.

 

[TW4945]

I have updated the depth chart to the best of my knowledge. Here are some additional factoids:

True Freshman Players: OT - Eidan Buchanan, RB - Jaylen McGill, DT - Devon Ancrum, LB - Jake Bauer, DL - Xavier Lewis

Good News: Thad Dixon is the real deal, Leroy Jackson took the next step. Xavier Lewis/Devon Ancrum playing

What the Heck?!: Malcolm Ziglar seeing no snaps, Davion Gause not taking a next step, Jake Johnson not taking a next step, dissapointing WR play, Gio Lopez, lack of interior OL, lack of any pass rush, lack of interior DL,

Add Demon June to true freshman seeing snaps.

 

[gregh1]

I read O'Steen was getting more backup C snaps than Banfield, FWIW.

 

[gregh1]

Also, it look like Isaiah Johnson was ahead other guys starting-wise.

 

[gregh1]

Any word if Tre Miller was hurt? He got some accolades from staples but didn't play.

 

[TW4945]

I don't know about Tre Miller and Ty Adams. I would think Adams would be the third CB but he didn't play.

 

[TarMakhTar]

North Carolina's Week 2 Depth Chart

The two-deep released by the school ahead of Saturday night's game at Charlotte.

www.on3.com

Have to think Yates and Ziglar are hurt.

Our DL depth chart is brutal.

Buchannan got the hook.