UNC Football: Ranking the offensive position groupings
By Grant Hughes
5. Running Backs
Losing your top three running backs is tough for any team to overcome. Elijah Hood, TJ Logan, and even the likes of Khris Francis will be sorely missed.
The Heels return one back who rushed the ball last season in Jordon Brown.
Last season, Brown rushed the ball 20 times for 45 yards to the tune of 2.3 yards per carry. These stats aren’t necessarily comforting for the designated bell cow running back.
To ease the loss of ball carriers, Fedora tapped into the graduate transfer market with RB/WR hybrid Stanton Truitt.
The Auburn grad accumulated 167 rushing yards and 100 yards receiving last season for the Tigers. He will add much-needed versatility and experience to UNC’s backfield.
Aside from Truitt and Brown, the Tar Heels look to lean heavily on true freshman Michael Carter.
The three-star Florida native has the speed to spark the run game in the mold of TJ Logan.
Rounding out the depth chart is linebacker turn running back Jonathan Sutton and true freshman Antwuan Branch.
At 230 and 225 pounds, one of the two should be on deck for goal line duties, especially considering they are the only backs on the roster above 195 pounds.
Running back will be a weakness for the Heels early on, but their potential could lift them above this ranking by season’s end.