Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: Five x-factors for Carolina in 2017

By Alec Lasley

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 08: The UNC Tar Heels take the field against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 08: The UNC Tar Heels take the field against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 24: The North Carolina Tar Heels run onto the field for their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 24: The North Carolina Tar Heels run onto the field for their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Once again, here I am saying how another offensive position enters 2017 with a lack of experience.

Carolina lost their top two running backs in Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan as well as Kris Francis who finished fourth in rushing yards last season behind Mitch Trubisky.

The Tar Heels will probably use a three headed monster backfield of sophomore Jordon Brown, Auburn transfer Stanton Truitt, and freshman Michael Carter.

Truitt comes into Carolina with the most backfield experience, having 37 carries for 215 yards and two touchdowns in his Auburn career. He was fifth in yards last year on an Auburn team that had six players with 40+ carries on the season.

Jordon Brown was rarely used last year and finished with 20 carries for 45 yards and one touchdown.

The 5-foot-10 back had his best game against Georgia Tech, running the ball for 31 yards on six carries. He got his lone touchdown in the bowl game against Stanford.

The running back with the most hype is Michael Carter. The freshman enrolled early at Carolina in January.

He comes into UNC after winning the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year in Florida, while rushing for 2,536 yards (3,345 all-purpose yards) and 45 touchdowns as a senior.

His career highlight came when he rushed for 331 yards and seven touchdowns against rival American Heritage.

Here are his high school highlights, making Carolina fans anxious for his first appearance as a Tar Heel.

All three backs look to share the backfield duties, at least early on in the season.

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