Coastal Forecast: Looking ahead at what faces Carolina in 2020

Editor’s Note: Today we continue with our series of stories focusing on the Coastal and breaking down some consistent questions facing the various teams in the division. We move to Chapel Hill today where TarHeelIllustrated publisher Andrew Jones gives us a breakdown of what’s ahead for North Carolina. If you haven’t already, check out initial features with DevilsIllustrated’s Bryan McLawhorn talking about Duke, JacketsOnline’s Kelly Quinlan talking about Georgia Tech, and CaneSport’s Gary Ferman talking about Miami.

1. Returning offensive production

The Tar Heels return prolific quarterback Sam Howell (3,641 yards, 38 TDs, seven INTs, 61.3 percent completion percentage), their top two running backs Michael Carter (1,003 yards) and Javonte Williams (933), and their top nine receivers, including 1,000-yard guys Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome.

2. Four starters back on the offensive line

Charlie Heck is off to the NFL but UNC returns its other four starters and the staff believes it will have more depth in the unit than the program has had in years.

3. Defense still marked by questions

UNC’s defense was solid last season but lost by far its two best interior linemen and was so-so at best at end, so questions abound up front. For Jay Bateman’s defense to work it must at least be dependably solid up front. Depth at linebacker is also a question. The secondary will be the strength on that side of the ball.

1. LT Charlie Heck

He was the leader of a young, untested group and is also an NFL-caliber player. The new left tackle will be a true sophomore who only played on extra point and field goal teams.

2. DL Jason Strowbridge

Strowbridge was so good he lined up at end a lot, too. He was a vocal leader of the defense and also led by example. And he just made plays. He had a terrific NFL combine elevating his stock.

3. DT Aaron Crawford

Crawford was an anchor in the middle of the defensive line. He consumed blockers and was a constant, often playing nearly 85-90 percent of the snaps in games. He will be extremely difficult to replace.

1. QB Sam Howell

You will see Howell’s name pop up on plenty of preseason awards lists for good reason. He posted ridiculous numbers as a true freshman and wasn’t the product of a system. He makes key throws, deep throws, and proved early in the season he could rally the Tar Heels to late wins. The Baker Mayfield comparisons are becoming more frequent, but Howell needs to do it as a sophomore before we’re jumping on board with anything like that.

2. WR Dazz Newsome

Speed, quickness, dart ability, breakaway ability, and a knack for making huge catches aptly describe Newsome, who is already getting mentioned as one of the top receivers in the nation for next season.

3. LB Chazz Surratt

The former QB had an outstanding season, making first-team All-ACC, and that’s while he was learning how to play the position. Surratt misread at times but also made some of the biggest plays of the season on defense and racked up tackles each week. A full offseason understanding the position will do him a lot of good.

1. DB Kyler McMichael

The transfer from Clemson was the No. 53 player in the class of 2018 but played just 101 snaps as a true freshman for the Tigers so he moved on. UNC has plenty of depth in the secondary but is looking for some game changers to emerge, and McMichael could be that guy.

2. DE Kedrick Bingley-Jones

The true freshman has already been generating buzz as an early enrollee, and with so much opportunity for players to step forward at the defensive end and hybrid positions, he could end up a regular in the rotation. Bingley-Jones was the No. 98 player in the class of 2020, including No. 5 at his position.

3. DT Clyde Pinder

Generally, interior linemen don’t make splashes as true freshmen but the Tar Heels have plenty of questions up front, so there’s an opportunity for Pinder to earn a spot in the rotation. He was the No. 152 player overall in the class of 2020, including No. 14 at his position.

Mack Brown expects his team to win the Coastal Division and has made no bones about it. With recruiting going extremely well, the mission here is to eventually contend for a national championship.

Can it be done at UNC?

Perhaps, but it can’t without taking each of the necessary steps, and there’s quite a bit of room between 7-6 and being nationally relevant, so the program has a great deal of work to do.

This year’s team can win the Coastal, hit the 10-win mark, and get some national attention with its first two games at Central Florida and versus Auburn in Atlanta. It also has some players (Howell, Newsome, etc) who will contend for individual honors.

Whether the interior on both sides of the ball are ready for such a push is to be determined, but expectations in Chapel Hill are high and getting higher.