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

Defense

As good as the offense could be, the defense is loaded. However, the front four could have a bit of a drop-off. Dan Disch’s 4-2-5 scheme returns two seniors up front in Norkeithus Otis and Ethan Farmer. Look for Otis to become a superstar after 14.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks to go along with an interception, 2 passes broken up, and 3 forced fumbles last year. In the middle, Farmer will play tackle and is coming off a 19.5-tackle season. At 6’3″ 295 pounds, he’ll be just fine in the middle. Senior Devonte Brown and junior Justin Thomason will see larger roles this year, with one of them likely starting after combining for 22.5 tackles last year. The biggest loss on the line, though, goes to Kareem Martin, who had 11.5 sacks last year. Sophomore end Junior Gnonkonde had 18 tackles in limited action as a freshman last year and should be fine in the role, but he won’t be as good as Martin. Shakeel Rashad, Mickey Bart, Shawn Underwood, and Jessie Rogers all have experience too and should provide depth. Redshirt freshman Greg Webb could also have an immediate impact as a former 4-star on Rivals, and Fedora has three true freshmen coming in that could compete for spots as well.

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Inside the Loud House

Despite the loss on the line, the linebackers should be loaded. Everybody is back. Literally, everybody. Junior Jeff Schoettmer had 65.5 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and 3 passes broken up last year. Senior Travis Hughes had 58 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack last year. Senior Darius Lipford wreaked the most havoc with 6 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks last year. All three guys will be valuable, and sophomore Nathan Staub had 14.5 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and a sack as a freshman last year. This unit is much more experienced this year, and it is once again very deep. Jack Tabb may or may not see action this year with his potential prominent role at tight end, but Dan Mastromatteo will see more action after playing sparingly as a freshman. Look for sophomore Joe Jackson to see the field as well. If that’s not enough, Fedora has 4-star freshman Tyrell Tomlin and another true freshman in Cayson Collins coming in, meaning this unit should be better in every way this year.

Dec 28, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Norkeithus Otis (8) sacks Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendon Kay (11) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The secondary took a hit with the loss of free safety Tre Boston and his 5 interceptions, and cornerback Jabari Price’s departure will also hurt after he broke up 9 passes last year. But it shouldn’t matter too much. Dominique Green is back at strong safety after starting last year as a freshman and recording 3 interceptions and 46.5 tackles. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a breakout star. Senior Tim Scott will replace Boston at safety, and he has plenty of experience after recording 2 interceptions in a back-up role last year. Junior Malik Simmons is back after 39 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss last year, and sophomore Brian Walker will start at cornerback this year after recording an interception and 6 passes broken up as a freshman last year. This should make for a very strong starting unit. Sam Smiley and Darien Rankin have plenty of experience to provide depth and be in the rotation at safety, and there are three other cornerbacks to provide depth. This unit as a whole is deeper than last year and more experienced, despite Boston’s departure, so it should be slightly better.

The defensive unit as a whole suffered two key losses but returns so much talent that there’s no reason to think it won’t be better this year. Moving from a top 50 defense to a top 30 defense is a reasonable goal this year, and there’s enough of a mix of raw talent and veterans for that to happen. Perhaps not giving up 55 points to East Carolina will help improve the stats this year. Overall, it should be able to carry UNC to some victories, along with the offensive talent.