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UNC Football: 2024 Positional Preview- Offensive Line

The UNC football program's offensive line will look a lot different this year, but there's reason to believe it will be better than it was a season ago.

By Nick Delahanty

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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All eyes are on the quarterback competition that is brewing in Chapel Hill, but there are some serious questions as to how the new-look offensive line will fare as well.

Four of the team's five starters from a season ago have departed, as this unit will look a lot different than it did in 2023. The good news is that Mack Brown and his staff believe that this group possesses more depth, as it's valuable to have a group of 8-9 offensive lineman who you can trust in game situations.

What We Know

All-ACC guard Willie Lampkin returns for another season, as he's projected to play right guard for this unit.

Other than Lampkin, the remaining group is either transfer additions or players with minimum experience at the collegiate level.

The Key Players

Howard Sampson- transfer from North Texas

Jonathan Adorno

Austin Blaske- transfer from Georgia

Willie Lampkin- All-ACC selection during the 2023 season

Trevyon Green

Outlook

Let's face it: this is a very important positional group for the UNC football program, as this unit must protect whoever ends up winning the starting quarterback job as well as paving the way for Omarion Hampton to have another strong season.

The team's offensive line wasn't elite by any means over the last few seasons, but they did serve as a capable group both in the passing and running game. Mack Brown and his staff hope that Blaske can come in and provide another veteran presence alongside Lampkin, as the two should be the leaders of this unit throughout the season.

The two players to keep an eye on here are Sampson and Green. Sampson is a 6-foot-8, 325-pound presence, as he has the body frame and the potential skillset to be an elite left tackle. Green doesn't have much college experience under his belt, but the Tar Heels hope he can quickly adjust to fill the role at right tackle.

Depth Chart

Starters:
Howard Sampson (left tackle)
Jonathan Adorno (left guard)
Austin Blaske (center)
Willie Lampkin (right guard)
Trevyon Green (right tackle) 

Reserves: Zach Greenberg, Jakiah Leftwich, Malik McGowan, Zach Rice

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