UNC Football: Josh Downs joins elite ACC company

UNC football standout Josh Downs had a tremendous season, making ACC history in the process.

Coming into the 2021 season, there were many questions as to how the UNC football program was going to replace all the talent they lost from a season ago.

Not only did the Tar Heels lose star running backs, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, they also lost the very valuable wide receiver duo of Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome. With all four players now playing on Sundays, Mack Brown’s squad was in need of some returning playmakers to step up.

Insert Josh Downs, who was more than ready for the challenge.

As a freshman, Downs just had seven receptions for 119 yards to his name. However, most of that production came in the team’s bowl game against Texas A&M, where he recorded four catches for 91 yards and two scores.

That game showed what Downs is capable of, and he followed it up with a career-setting sophomore campaign.

Although the Tar Heels struggled to find playmakers around him, Downs quickly developed into the team’s top wide receiver. North Carolina did everything in their power to get the ball in his hands, as his playmaking ability from essentially anywhere on the field was truly an asset for quarterback Sam Howell to work with.

Downs recorded 1,335 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on the season, but it was the number of times he had the ball in his hands that made ACC history.

With his 101 total receptions, Downs became the first UNC football player to record 100+ receptions in a single season. He also is just the fourth player in ACC history to accomplish the feat.

You may be wondering where Downs ranks on the ACC all-time single-season receptions list. Well, we’re here to give you that answer!

Downs finishes fourth on the list, trailing Sammy Watkins (Clemson), Steve Ishmael (Syracuse), and Jamison Crowder (Duke). Unlike the others, Downs has a chance to rejoin the list, as he’ll return to Chapel Hill in 2022 for his junior season.

Even after a tremendous season, it didn’t take long for Downs to post on social media. Shortly after the Tar Heels loss to South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Downs posted the below image on Instagram with the caption “Ya’ll ain’t seen nothin yet… I promise”

Downs is certainly hungry for more success, and fans of the UNC football program should be very excited to have him back in the mix. Regardless of who ends up playing quarterback for the Tar Heels in 2022, expect the rising junior to once again be a focal point of North Carolina’s offensive scheme.

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates regarding Josh Downs and the rest of the UNC football program.