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UNC Football Alumni: Is T.J. Logan set for a breakout season?

By Zack Pearson

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 05: T.J. Logan #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs for a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 05: T.J. Logan #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs for a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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T.J. Logan has been named as a breakout candidate for the Arizona Cardinals by ESPN.com. Find out why he could have a big year.

Former University of North Carolina standout T.J. Logan’s rookie year in the NFL didn’t go as planned as he missed the entire season with an injury.

Logan suffered a wrist injury in the preseason, causing him to miss the entire 2018 campaign for the Arizona Cardinals. But so far in 2018, Logan is playing like a guy who could make a big impact.

He’s been in the rotation at running back so far with David Johnson being the starter and both Chase Edmunds and D.J. Foster. Logan can be seen as a weapon out of the backfield not only running the ball with his speed but also his pass-catching ability.

The back will have to beat out Foster, who is also good in the pass-catching game, for a spot on the depth chart. As of now, it appears as if Logan is safe to make the roster due to his special teams return ability and he even got the most reps out of any running back in a recent preseason game.

If Logan does indeed make the team, he could be a prime candidate for a breakout season.

ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss named Logan as the Cardinals’ breakout player on an article for ESPN.com  and pointed to his return abilities as the big reason why.

Here’s what Weinfuss wrote:

"But what he showed before that injury was lightning-quick speed as a returner. If he can reproduce that acceleration this season, he won’t just have a regular role on on special teams, he’ll thrive and establish himself as one of David Johnson’s primary backups."

As it stands now, Logan is listed as the starting kick returner and is listed as the second-string punt returner. He’s done both in the preseason and is expected to keep that role if he makes this team.

While Logan is fourth on the depth chart at running back, he could earn some more reps by being a standout on special teams. There’s been cases in the NFL before where a player exceeds expectations on special teams and earns more reps on offense.

Logan could go that route and find a way to make a name for himself on Sundays.

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