UNC Football: Top 3 Defensive Players Destined to Breakout

Which three defensive players are the most likely to have breakout years for the UNC football program this upcoming season?

One of the most noticeable weak points for the 2022 UNC football team was the defensive unit, as they did not break the top 100 for a majority of the team stats.

The Tar Heels’ defense allowed a lousy average of 436.5 yards per game (116th), 30.8 points per game (102nd), and 6.1 yards per play (111th). It is difficult to point fingers at one specific coach, player, or even play calling as the woes surrounded the Tar Heels throughout the entirety of the season.

This is a new season for the Tar Heels as there have been some massive changes during the off-season as 14 defensive players transferred away from the program, including starting defensive back Tony Grimes.

Mack Brown also brought in many new fresh faces including 11 incoming freshmen from the 2023 recruiting class and five transfer portal players that are either graduate students or transfers.

The staff also had a slight change to it as former alumni and Cornerbacks coach Dre’ Bly left the Tar Heels to pursue the same position professionally with the Detroit Lions. Jason Jones was brought in to become the new Cornerbacks coach for the team for this upcoming season. Jones is a 20-year coaching veteran who has spent all 20 years as a secondaries coach in some form. Before joining Mack Brown’s staff, Jones was coaching at Indiana as the safeties coach for two seasons.

A mix of new faces and a fresh season is all the Tar Heels might need to turn the defense around from last season. This list will contain three players that could make a big impact this season.

1. Tomari Fox- Defensive Lineman

Tomari Fox is a name that has been with the football program for four seasons now. Despite being on the roster during the 2022 season, Fox was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the season due to a banned substance intake that was contained in an over-the-counter pre-workout drink. Although suspended, the NCAA still allowed Fox to partake in team practice and travel for the entirety of the season.

During his junior season in 2021, Fox started in two games while appearing in a total of 12 games during the campaign. He led the team with six hurries while also recording 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during the 2021 season. Despite just starting two games his junior year, Fox started all 12 games his sophomore year in 2020 where he had an outstanding 46 tackles and four sacks. Although some may say Fox has already broken out, he will have to fight for his starting spot back, but as a veteran, he will see meaningful snaps this season, and his return will have an immediate impact on the defensive line.

2. Marcus Allen- Defensive Back

Marcus Allen completed his true freshman campaign last season where he appeared in all 14 games at either defensive back or on special teams. Allen started his first collegiate game against Clemson in the ACC Championship, then recorded a personal-best eight tackles during the Holiday Bowl facing Oregon.

Allen is entering his second season with the Tar Heels and is expected to make an immediate impact as he started the final two games of last season, so he is in line to start game one against South Carolina. Freshman to sophomore season jumps have always been huge for most players, Allen already started showing shades of that at the end of last season. Marcus’ brother, Derrik Allen, transferred to North Carolina for his final year of eligibility, so playing beside his brother will also help Marcus.

3. Amare Campbell- Linebacker

Amare Campbell was a three-star coming out of high school this past year where 247Sports ranked him as the 1286th player in the nation, 109th best linebacker in the 2023 class, and the 35th best player in the state of Virginia. Campbell stands at a stout 6-foot-0″, 200-pound frame, allowing him to be crafted into whatever role Mack Brown and the staff would like.

Campbell has been one of the most talked about players throughout the fall training camp since Power Echols sustained a minor injury during camp. Mack Brown called on Campbell to receive more reps once the injury happened and he has not disappointed, as he made a name for himself with this opportunity at hand. Expect to see Amare Campbell playing significant snaps this season when the starters need a break, go down with an injury, or the Tar Heels are up big. He will be a player to keep an eye out on.

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