UNC Football: Josh Downs sets new program record for receiving yards in season

While it hasn’t been the year many expected for the UNC Football program, there have been some bright spots to help them build to the future. And one of the biggest ones is wide receiver Josh Downs.

The sophomore has been UNC’s best weapon on offense outside of Sam Howell and in Friday’s game at N.C. State, he made some history.

Downs passed Hakeem Nicks to set the new single season record for most receiving yards as he eclipsed 1,223 on the year. The receiver is just the sixth different receiver to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season joining Nicks, Ryan Switzer, Dazz Newsome, Dyami Brown and Dwight Jones.

As Downs set the new record in the regular season finale, he has a chance to add on to it with the rest of this game and the bowl game coming up in a few weeks.

Looking forward, Downs has the chance to challenge Switzer’s school record for most receiving yards in a career. He entered this game at 1,317 in just two seasons and Switzer is atop the list at 2,907, doing so in four years. It’s very possible Downs could get there next season but staying for all four years likely gets him that record.

After a solid freshman season in 2020 playing behind Newsome and Brown, Downs has emerged as not only one of the best receivers in the Atlantic Coast Conference but in the country as well. As UNC looks towards next year Downs will be a key piece next season for whoever is at quarterback for the Tar Heels. And he could up his draft stock big time too.

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