UNC Football: 4 pleasant surprises through 4 weeks of action

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 19: University of North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown looks on during a pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and Wrexham AFC at Kenan Stadium on July 19, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Jones #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels signals a first down after a catch in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

J.J. Jones

Last season was essentially the Josh Downs/Antoine Green show, while this year was supposed to be the Tez Walker/Nate McCollum show for the UNC football program’s offense.

However, Walker is ineligible, and McCollum missed time due to injury, which provided a great opportunity for J.J Jones to step up.

Through four games, Jones has recorded 16 receptions for 296 yards. To put that into perspective, Jones had just 24 catches for 434 yards a season ago.

Barring injury, Jones is well on pace to crush both of those career highs.

Jones provides the UNC football program’s offense with a deep threat. He’s averaging 18.5 yards per catch, as he’s made plenty of big-time receptions over the first four weeks of the season.

As the year goes on, and as the Tar Heels offense continues to gel even more, don’t be surprised if J.J. Jones continues to be one of the team’s top offensive threats, especially in situations where North Carolina wants to push the ball downfield.

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