UNC Football: The five most important players for the 2023 season

I have to admit, it could’ve been very easy for me to copy what my colleague Jordan Falls had put together. The players (although he cheated a bit by using the whole running back room!) are very logical choices, but my top-five most important players seem to differ just a bit.

I’ll start from No. 5 and work my way down to the most important UNC football player for the 2023 season:

Ryan Coe

Yes, we all hope that the Tar Heels offense is better this season in the red zone. This factor would definitely help alleviate some of the kicking woes that North Carolina experienced last season, but let’s not forget, the Tar Heels brought in a very good transfer to help improve in this area.

It’s so important to take advantage of all scoring opportunities, as the hope is that Coe can be the consistent factor in the kicking game to help add three points to the board if the offense fails to score.

Especially in close game situations, special teams’ success is crucial, as Ryan Coe needs to be at the top of his game for the UNC football program all season long.

Omarion Hampton

As Jordan alluded to in the slide before, the UNC Football program needs someone other than Drake Maye to lead the team in rushing.

I could’ve gone with Elijah Green here, who I expect big things from, but the obvious pick has to be Omarion Hampton, the rising sophomore who has shown flashes of being a dynamic back.

The Tar Heels’ running game needs to be better, and I really think that Hampton can emerge as the featured back among this group. At this point, there’s no clear-cut favorite to see the majority of the reps, but with a strong camp, Hampton has the potential to take the reins for good.

What a boost to the UNC football program if Hampton (or one of the other backs) can solidify themselves as the go-to running back.

Amari Gainer

The return of Des Evans will be a big boost to the Tar Heels defensive unit, but the addition of Amari Gainer could end up being the “x-factor” in improving the team’s pass rush.

After starting his career at Florida State, Gainer will play his final season of eligibility at North Carolina, as he’ll be one of the many players that look to help improve the defensive front seven. If Gainer can continue to produce as he did with the Seminoles, he will be considered one of the most impactful transfers of the 2023 cycle.

Needless to say, a strong season from Amari Gainer is something that North Carolina is really hoping for.

Cedric Gray

It’s very tough to argue against No. 2 and No. 1 on the list, as the UNC football program has two stars, one on each side of the football.

Cedric Gray is the Tar Heels’ defensive leader and is quickly working his way up NFL Draft boards. Before he worries about his future professional career, Gray has to take care of business in Chapel Hill, as he hopes to anchor the Tar Heels defense to big improvements during the 2023 season.

Gray is a critical piece of the Tar Heels’ defense and would be the most critical player on the entire roster if it wasn’t for the guy sitting at the top of the list.

Drake Maye

I mean, was there ever a doubt?

The UNC Football goes as Drake Maye goes.

One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Maye enters his second season as the program’s starter, as he has a few goals in mind.

Of course, his professional career is probably at the back of his mind, but he also has some unfinished business to attend to, most notably the disappointing end to the 2022 season.

We’ll see what Maye has in-store for round two as the Tar Heels’ starter, but there’s no doubt heading into the season that he’s the UNC football program’s most important player.

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on Twitter and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC football news and recruiting updates.