UNC Football Ranked No. 25 by Pro Football Focus

The UNC football program was recently ranked as the 25th-best team in the country by Pro Football Focus for the upcoming 2023 season.

There is plenty of expectations surrounding the UNC football program and its fanbase for the upcoming 2023 college football season. The Tar Heels have already been ranked No. 20 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll and No. 21 in the Preseason Associated Press Poll.

Max Chadwick with Pro Football Focus has also released his college football preseason top-25 rankings, in which the Tar Heels are also ranked, but slightly lower than the other polls we have seen released.

PFF believes Carolina is ranked appropriately at No. 25 on their list. Carolina is relying heavily on its star quarterback Drake Maye to carry the weight of the team on his back to live up to all the preseason expectations and Chadwick points that out in his rankings…

"Outside of Caleb Williams, there isn’t a better quarterback in college football than North Carolina’s Drake Maye. He was the most valuable player in the country last year, according to PFF’s wins above average metric, while his 45 big-time throws were 10 more than the next-closest FBS quarterback. He also tied for second in that same group with 56 combined rushing first downs and touchdowns.He may have to rely on his legs even more in 2023, as the Tar Heels’ wide receiver room is looking thin. Their top two receivers last season, Josh Downs and Antoine Green, both moved on to the NFL. Kent State transfer wide receiver Tez Walker, a PFF preseason All-ACC first-team selection, was recently ruled ineligible for 2023 by the NCAA. Maye does have a top-five tight end to throw to in Bryson Nesbit. Make no mistake: North Carolina will need Maye to carry the team on his shoulders."

Tez Walker’s uncertainty most likely had an impact on why PFF ranked the Tar Heels lower than where they have been in other polls, and Chadwick mentions Walker’s situation. If the NCAA does grant his waiver of appeal, then UNC football could see a rise in the rankings soon.

Most of the discussion outside of Chapel Hill is focused on Maye, who has plenty of preseason hype around him. However, inside the UNC football fanbase, most Tar Heel fans are aware of the importance of an improved defense for 2023 to be everything they hope for. Only one Carolina opponent is ranked in PFF’s preseason top-25, and that is Clemson at No. 8. The Tar Heels will travel to face the Tigers during the second to last week of the season on November 18th.

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