Are North Carolina Tar Heels a Top 25 Team in 2014?

Offense

Junior quarterback Marquise Williams was 4-2 in games where he saw the bulk of the action behind center last year. With Byrn Renner gone, this is his year to fully take control. Williams can be very good. Like, incredibly good. Last year, his first full year starting, he completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,698 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. This all happened in half a season. He also had 536 yards rushing and 6 more touchdowns on the ground, leading the team in both categories. Perhaps the best part is as a mobile quarterback, he was only sacked 5 times. If he can improve his completion percentage, at least get it up to 60, this guy could be incredible. A mobile quarterback that efficient is a rarity. Look for Williams to become a breakout star this year.

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Keeping It Heel

Along with Williams’s return, T.J. Logan is back at running back, and he should see a lot more action this year as well. After missing the first four games, the sophomore had 533 yards and 4 touchdowns on only 93 carries as a freshman. With him as the lead rusher and Williams as the quarterback, the Tar Heels have their backfield set for the next two years, and don’t be surprised if it becomes one of the best backfields in the country. It will likely break out this year. Behind Logan will be juniors Romar Morris and Khris Francis, each of whom had more than 200 yards rushing last year in limited action. Junior Charles Brunson also had limited action last year and is back, and keep an eye on 5-star freshman Elijah Hood. He has by far the most potential of this entire unit, and don’t be surprised if he works his way into a role as a regular back along with Logan, making for a two-headed monster.

The wide receiver position takes a bit of a hit with the loss of tight end Eric Ebron, who was amazing last year with 973 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. But the actual receivers are all back. Junior Quinshad Davis was great last year and has the opportunity to become a 1,000 yard receiver this year after 48 catches for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013. At 6’4″ 205 pounds, he also has an NFL type body for the position, so he could be great this year. On the other side, sophomore Ryan Switzer will see lots more action after 32 catches for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns as a freshman. Sophomore Bug Howard will be valuable as well after 22 catches for 278 yards and 4 touchdowns as a freshman. Finally, junior T.J. Thorpe had 24 catches for 267 yards last year and 2 touchdowns last year. Together, the four receivers should make for one of the best units in the country this year. There’s too much potential and raw talent, and this year, with one quarterback and more support in the running game, there’s also a lot more experience. Senior tight end Jack Tabb will fill Ebron’s spot, and he did have 7 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown last year. He could be incredibly good as the full time starter. If not, there are two freshmen able to step in.

Dec 28, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) passes the ball during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Tar Heels offensive line returns a good bit of talent, but the loss of First Team All-ACC left tackle James Hurst along with center Russell Bodine is huge. Those were by far the two best players at the two most important positions on the line last year. John Ferranto and R.J. Prince will be in competition to fill the void at left tackle, and both should be decent, standing at 6’5″ 290 pounds and 6’6″ 310 pounds respectively. Sophomore center Lucas Crowley also has potential, but he is only 270 pounds. If nothing works out, Fedora luckily brought in two 4-star guards and three freshmen overall. Any of them could make an immediate impact. Among the other returning starters, junior guard Landon Turner is probably the best of the bunch with 17 career starts and standing at 6’4″ 320 pounds. Sophomore guard Caleb Peterson started 12 games last year as a freshman, and sophomore tackle Jon Heck started every game last year as a freshman. All three players were young and inexperienced last year and should provide veteran leadership for the line this year. Junior tackle Kiaro Holts could also step in and fill one of the positions as a starter, but if not, he’ll provide some serious depth. The line as a whole will take a hit this year, but it won’t be too bad. After a few weeks of growing pains, it should be just as good as last year.

This offense as a whole should be able to at least match its scoring production from last year. There is an incredible amount of young talent, and lots of that talent played last year. Fedora is clearly building something special, and with potential superstars in the backfield, at receiver, and on the line, there’s a lot to look forward to on this offense. The only thing missing might be the lack of veteran leadership, but there are plenty of players with experience.