2021 UNC Football position preview: Linebacker

There are just over a few weeks to go until the start of the 2021 season, our UNC football position previews continue as we stay on the defensive side of the ball with the linebacker position.

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | DB

With the defensive line providing a lot of depth, the linebacker position can boost that front seven with their talent. The Tar Heels are returning a few key players from the position while saying goodbye to standout Chazz Surratt. But how will Jay Bateman manage the talent he has to his disposal?

Let’s get into our inside linebackers preview.

What We Know

The Tar Heels are a deep team at both inside linebacker and on the edge. They return starters Jeremiah Gemmel, Tomon Fox, and Tyrone Hopper from last season’s defense plus Eugene Asante who is a player that has earned experience over the past few seasons.

Behind them, the depth is very good as well. Desmond Evans, Chris Collins, and Cedric Gray all return while they welcome in Power Echols and RaRa Dillworth. This is a deep unit and one that should see a rotation of guys depending on the situation.

On the edge, UNC will likely rotate in Evans and Collins while Gray, Echols and Dillworth should be in the rotation at inside linebacker. This is important not only because it allows UNC to give some guys rest but also develop others at the same time. Having the luxury of freshmen that are ready to play right away does help with that and some are too good to just sit on the bench for the entire game.

UNC’s front seven could be a dangerous one this season with a deep defensive line and a linebacker core that is very talented. Let’s see if they can put it all together an be consistent.

The Key Players

Jeremiah Gemmel

With Surratt off to the NFL, one of the leaders for this defense is now inside linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel. The talented senior is coming off a big junior season starting in all 12 games while recording 78 tackles, 7 hurries and 6 tackles for loss while playing next to Surratt. He was a team captain and has really emerged as one of the top players on this defense for the Tar Heels.

Gemmel will be called upon to lead the charge at linebacker and the hope is that he can have a big final year in Chapel Hill as an anchor on this defense. With steady growth, he should also have a shot at boosting his draft stock as well.

Eugene Asante

Stepping into the role that is void with Surratt gone will be Eugene Asante, a player that should benefit from having a really good defensive line in front of him. Going into his third season, Asante will be elevated into a bigger role this season with the departure of Surratt. He’s been able to learn from both Surratt and Gemmel for the past two years and should take a big step forward this year.

He’s coming off a 2020 season, appearing in all 12 games recording 27 tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.

Tomon Fox

The edge rusher is looking to move up the UNC all-time sacks leader, entering this season ranked fifth alongside Lawrence Taylor at 21. Last season, Fox finished with 10.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks, becoming a legit edge rusher for this defense. He opted to return for a graduate year and is arguably UNC’s best player on defense this year.

Tyrone Hopper

Another player that is back for a fifth year is outside linebacker Tyrone Hopper. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound linebacker had 27 tackles, 7 hurries, 2 sacks and 2 tackles for a loss last year playing alongside Fox. The duo returning was huge for UNC and gives them some legit pass rushers on the edge to go with a deep offensive line.

Desmond Evans

The former five-star recruit is still looking to find his footing but is a very talented player that should have a breakout season in Chapel Hill. As a true freshman, Evans appeared in 10 games and started 3 for the Tar Heels last season, getting better as the year went on. He finished with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. Getting to learn behind Fox and Hopper will be big for another year of development.

Depth Chart

STARTERS: Jeremiah Gemmel (ILB), Eugene Asante (ILB), Tomon Fox (edge), Tyronne Hopper (edge)

BACKUPS: Desmond Evans (edge), Chris Collins (edge), Cedric Gray (ILB), RaRa Dillworth (ILB), Power Echols (ILB)

RESERVES: Kaimon Rucker, Ethan West, Trevion Stevenson, Gabe Stephens, Jalen Brooks, Braden Hunter, Jake Harkleroad, Gibson Macrae, Alex Nobles

For more on the UNC Football program, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.