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UNC Football Spring Game: A closer look at the defensive backs

By John Ellis

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 12: Cam'Ron Kelly #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a tackle against the Syracuse Orange during the third quarter of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 12: Cam'Ron Kelly #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a tackle against the Syracuse Orange during the third quarter of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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With the 2021 Spring practices nearing completion and the Spring Game just a little over a week away, we continue our series on taking a closer look at each position group throughout the UNC Football program.

Today we will remain on the defensive side of the ball as we examine the back end which consists of the 17 members of the defensive back room.

Quarterback | Running Backs | Wide Receivers/Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Defensive Line | Linebackers

Jay Bateman, who coaches the safeties as well as making the defensive calls during a game as the co-defensive coordinator, along with cornerback coach Dre Bly must wake up feeling like it is Christmas morning. They are responsible for a room that is loaded with speed, footwork, great hips, ball skills and experience.

Adding those pieces to the defensive line and linebackers provides the very real possibility of the Carolina defense being not just a good unit but a dominant one. One that could compare to the defense of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. That unit only gave up 270.9 yards and 9.8 points per game. The ability to force 4.1 turnovers per game led to a 12-0 record which included three shutouts. Is that comparison an overreach? Possibly but I do not think so.

This Tar Heel defense has future NFL talent at all three levels and is complemented by an offense, led by Heisman candidate Sam Howell, that will cause every opponent to feel that they must score no less than 35 points to be in the game at the end of regulation. That will force UNC football opponents to pass the ball more than they normally would which in turn will lead to a greater number of opportunities to create turnovers.

We will begin with the safety position focusing on the top four players on the roster. They are senior Trey Morrison, juniors Don Chapman and Cam’Ron Kelly followed by sophomore Ja’Qurious Conley. Last season, these four players combined for 177 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, 11 pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Waiting to contribute are juniors Giovanni Biggers and Javon Terry (opted out in 2020), sophomore Val Edwards and the two four-star recruits freshmen Dontavius Nash and DeAndre Boykins.

At the cornerback position, the top four are juniors Kyler McMichael and Ladaeson DeAndre Hollins joined by sophomores Tony Grimes and Storm Duck. Last season, 2019 for Duck, the quartet combined for 94 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 21 pass breakups and three interceptions. Backing them up are juniors Obi Egbuna and Welton Spottsville as well as red shirt freshmen Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and Christopher Holliday.

The speed, skill, strength and experience in the room completes the defensive puzzle. It will be interesting to see just how dominant that side of the ball will become. One thing is certain and that is that the 2021 UNC Football program is as complete as it has been in decades so get your popcorn ready for one heck of a ride.

The Spring Game can be seen by watching the ACC Network on Saturday April 24 at 3:00pm

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