Team tackling becoming a strength
Tar Heel fans may have noticed that the defense no longer features a prominent middle linebacker piling up double-digit tackles every game like recent models Cedric Grey or Jeremiah Gemmel. But the defense has looked better. Why is that?
Well, it appears those tackles are being spread around the entire defense like melted better on hot toast. The most encouraging participants on the team tackles count are the defensive linemen. Kaimon Rucker and Beau Atkinson tied with linebacker Amare Campbell for the team lead in tackles (5). Granted, several of those tackles were for sacks (one for Rucker, 3.5 for Atkinson), but those count too! Jahvaree Ritzie, Travis Shaw, Joshua Harris, and Des Evans all had multiple tackles as well, all for minimal gains.
If the Tar Heels can get more tackles along the defensive line, it should mean the defense is keeping opponents from reaching the second level. Only good things can happen from there.