Two Tar Heels go in first round of SI’s 2014 NFL Draft redo

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) intercepts a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) and returns it for a touchdown during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina had two players go in the first round of Sports Illustrated’s 2014 NFL Draft repick, written by Doug Farrar. I’m not that shocked that Ebron stayed in the first round after an up and down season in Detroit, but I am really shocked that Tre Boston went in the first round of the repick.

During the 2013 UNC Football season, if you asked 1000 UNC fans who was a better NFL Draft prospect, Tre Boston or Eric Ebron, I’m pretty sure 999 of them would have picked Ebron first. Yet Boston went just two picks behind Ebron in this mock draft. All the credit in the world should go to Mr. Boston for working hard with the Panthers to have a great first NFL season, and I think he has a bright future ahead of himself.

Here is what SI had to say about Tre Boston, who went 26th in the redraft.

"(Original pick: Louisville DE Marcus Smith)Re-do pick: North Carolina SS Tre BostonWell, this was unfortunate. The Eagles took Smith in the first round, and Billy Davis, the team’s defensive coordinator, admitted late in the season that he wasn’t sure what Smith’s ideal position would be. Smith played 74 snaps in 2014. Meanwhile, Boston would have been a huge addition to an Eagles’ safety rotation in need of help — he lasted until the fourth round, but really made an impact as the season went on and he started more games for Carolina."

About Ebron, who went 24th in the redraft.

"(Original pick: Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard)Re-do pick: North Carolina TE Eric EbronDennard is still getting the hang of the NFL, though he has the potential to be a good player in time. One wonders, though, how Ebron would have fared in an offense that wants to be friendly to tight ends but hasn’t been so of late. Word is that Jermaine Gresham won’t be in Cincinnati’s plans in 2015."

Along with those two NFL standouts, Russell Bodine had a good year in Cincinnati, and his future is bright there. Jabari Price made the Vikings roster after impressing over the summer and had an up and down year with Minnesota. Kareem Martin was up and down for the Cardinals this year, but could still develop into a really good NFL defensive end. And James Hurst might have been the biggest success story, going from undrafted rookie to starting tackle in the playoffs for the Ravens.

More from North Carolina Tar Heels

• North Carolina Tar Heels Week Preview: Sept 18 – Sept 24
• UNC Football: How can fans support Devontez ’Tez’ Walker?
• UNC Women’s Soccer: Avery Patterson wins ACC Offensive POTW
• UNC Softball: Transfer Class Among Best In The Country
• DI Board Takes Shot at North Carolina Tar Heels in Statement

Overall, that is six pretty good NFL players from the University of North Carolina in one draft class. That is impressive and is a testament to the skill of Coach Fedora and his staff. Remember, these guys were not Fedora’s recruits. They came into the program, had to deal with a lot of adversity over their careers at UNC and still were able to become successful at the next level.

It also makes you wonder how UNC only won seven games in 2013 with all those guys on the roster.

H/t: Cat Scratch Reader