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UNC Football: Herbstreit Has High Hopes For Tar Heels

By Mark DeMott

Dec 2, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; ESPN personality Kirk Herbstreit walks down the field prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; ESPN personality Kirk Herbstreit walks down the field prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The ESPN college football analyst had a lot to say about the UNC football team on his preseason awards show last night.

Every year, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit hosts the annual “Herbie Awards” just prior to the start of the season.  Throughout the show he recognizes players and teams that he thinks will make some noise this year.

As somewhat of a surprise, there was a lot of talk about the UNC football program in this year’s edition.

During the individual awards, two UNC standouts were nominated for “Herbie’s”.  Wide receiver Josh Downs and cornerback Tony Grimes were recognized as players who could be among the best in the nation.

Downs was one of three finalists for the “Most Exciting Player” award.  The award eventually went to Houston’s Nathaniel Dell, but Herbstreit still had very high praise for Downs.  Here’s what he had to say about the Suwanee, Georgia native:

"“Last year he had to fill the shoes of a lot of talented receivers that left, and he did a great job with 1300 yards receiving.  I expect even bigger things from him in Chapel Hill.  Every time number eleven gets his hands on the ball you hold your breath.”"

Tony Grimes was nominated as a finalist for the “Top Baller” award.  Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was the eventual pick, but this still illustrates the skill that Grimes possesses.  Here’s what Herbstreit said about the Tar Heel corner:

"“I’m ready for Tony Grimes to really emerge and have the next step for Mack Brown.  With Gene Chizik running that defense, he will be left on islands and I can’t wait to see him make plays.”"

Not only did those two Heels get recognized, but the team as a whole was mentioned as well.  While Herbstreit predicted Clemson over Miami in the ACC Championship game, his “ACC Sleeper” was none other than North Carolina.  Here’s what he had to say about the Tar Heels:

"“The sleeper I’m going to go with is North Carolina.  Remember last year everybody was talking about Sam Howell and Carolina.  I don’t think they handled the spotlight well.  I think they’re back into their more familiar role.  Nobody’s talking about them.  Nobody expects much of anything, and that’s exactly how they like it.  To me that’s when they’re dangerous.  It’s up to the quarterback, Gene Chizik takes over for the defense, and I think that because nobody’s talking about them, look out for Mack Brown in Chapel Hill this year.”"

We will see if Herbstreit is right and the Tar Heels can turn an underachieving 2021 into an overachieving 2022.  The UNC football program kicks off its season on Saturday night at 8:15 against Florida A&M.

Next. Positional Previews: Offensive Line. dark

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