Saturday Blitz
Fansided

North Carolina Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 15: Austin Proehl #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 15: Austin Proehl #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 01: Aaron Crawford #92 of the North Carolina Tar Heels takes down Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 01: Aaron Crawford #92 of the North Carolina Tar Heels takes down Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting ends: Malik Carney, Dajaun Drennon
Backups: Tyler Powell, Tomon Fox

North Carolina has a classic 4-3 look in the front-seven and the line has both defensive ends returning from last year’s starting rotation. In fact, the Tar Heels bring back junior Malik Carney and senior Dajaun Drennon to the unit, but both need to step up as leaders. The Tar Heels ranked just 109th in the nation against the run in 2016.

Carney had 47 total tackles, 8.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks last season while Drennon had 17 tackle and just one sack. No more over-committing on the run. Senior Tyler Powell and freshman Tomon Fox will be the backups. Powell could even push for starting time. He had 19 tackles, three for loss and 1.5 sacks as a junior.

Starting tackles: Aaron Crawford, Jeremiah Clarke
Backups: Jason Strowbridge, Jalen Dalton

The interior defensive linemen will need to plug holes better than their predecessors which have both departed. Sophomore Aaron Crawford and junior Jeremiah Clarke will both be presumed starters when the season kicks off on Sept. 2 against California.

Crawford was 11th on the team with 42 total tackles and had 1.5 for loss and one sack as well. He basically played as much as a starter would — he’s a potential breakout star. Clarke also had 42 tackles but added four tackles for loss and two sacks. Jason Strowbridge has the potential to be a starter but the sophomore will be a rotational piece with junior Jalen Dalton.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels