UNC Football: Helmet stickers for win over ODU

Austin Proehl

When Ryan Switzer, Bug Howard and Mack Hollins all left UNC after the 2016 season, the wide receiver position became a question mark.

Wide receiver Austin Proehl is in is senior season and automatically became the leader of a young, inexperienced receiving core. The 5-foot-10 senior got off to a slow start this season but his breakout may have come against the Monarchs.

Proehl hauled in three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown reception was the first of his season a moment Tar Heels fans knew was coming sooner than later this year.

He entered Saturday’s game with 12 receptions on the year in the previous two games but didn’t find the end zone until Week 3.

Getting Proehl going this hyear is key.

If the wide receiver can be that go-to guy we all expected him to be going into the year it will help other receivers.

Players like Jordan Cunningham and Dazz Newsome could benefit from Proehl receiving extra attention from the defense.

More importantly, Proehl and quarterback Chazz Surratt need to get into a rhythm this season.

With no winner in the quarterback battle announced in the offseason, it has been Surratt that has assumed the role as starter.

Now, he and Proehl can develop that chemistry to help get this UNC offense right on track as we enter conference play.

Keep an eye on Proehl in the Duke game on Saturday.

The receiver has six career receptions in three games against the Blue Devils but that was with Switzer, Hollins and Howard all leading the offense.