UNC Football: Nate McCollum ruled out for season opener

Nov 27, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Nate McCollum (8) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Nate McCollum (8) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC football program will be without both of its transfer wide receivers as it kicks off the 2023 regular season against South Carolina.

It was bad enough when the UNC football program made it official that Tez Walker would not be eligible for the team’s season opener late on Friday night.

Just about an hour prior to kickoff, we learned that BOTH North Carolina transfer wide receivers will not suit up for this game.

Nate McCollum was seen watching warmups on the sidelines, as there was no clear indication as to what his status was. Shortly after, it was learned that the transfer wideout would miss the season opener, as the reason has still yet to be announced.

All offseason, the talk surrounding the UNC football program focused on them adding two quality receivers for star quarterback Drake Maye to work with. No one envisioned that neither one would be ready (or able) to go when the team took the field for the first time for the 2023 regular season.

With Walker and McCollum unavailable, it is a great opportunity for the Tar Heels’ young receivers to step up. They’ve heard a lot about how the UNC football program needed to add depth to the position due to the losses of Josh Downs and Antoine Green to the NFL, but now they can prove that the guys returning have the ability to get the job done.

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