UNC Football program updates depth chart before App State game

The UNC Football program has released its second official depth chart of the 2023 college football season following its opening game.

Following their season-opening 31-17 win over South Carolina, the UNC football program learned a lot about how they compare to other quality competition. With that, the Tar Heels coaching staff has released an updated depth chart for their upcoming game versus Appalachian State with a few changes from the original preseason depth chart. Some of these changes are from how players played, but some can be attributed to play in practice or injuries that have occurred, forcing changes.

A few takeaways from this depth chart release begins with looking at the release last week and seeing how it compares. At running back, Elijah Green was moved from third string to fourth string, with Caleb Hood surpassing him, even though neither player saw game action against the Gamecocks.

At wide receiver, Devontez ‘Tez’ Walker is still listed as the No. 1 WR and is going to practice with the intention of playing versus the Mountaineers. Nate McCollum, who is listed as day-to-day with an injury, is listed as the backup wide receiver to Kobe Paysour. George Pettaway also left the running back depth chart and is now listed as a reserve wide receiver in the slot.

On the defensive side of the ball, the most notable change comes due to the season-ending injury to DeAndre Boykins and the impressive play from Alijah Huzzie. Huzzie was originally one of the starting cornerbacks, but due to Boykins being injured, Huzzie was moved to Star (the Nickel position on the UNC football defense) during the South Carolina game. It appears Huzzie will take on that role full-time moving forward for the rest of the 2023 season.

As a result, redshirt freshman Tayon Holloway was forced to move into the starting cornerback role against South Carolina. He will become the starter taking over Huzzie’s position. Former running back DJ Jones will also stay listed as a backup safety at Star.

The coaching staff is still playing with different schemes and lineups early during the season. As we get deeper into the season and approach conference play, we should see a more consistent depth chart for the UNC football program.

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