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

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Linebackers

Starting middle linebacker: Andre Smith
Backup: Jonathan Smith

All three linebackers in 2017 are returning starters for the Tar Heels, starting with the man in the middle, Andre Smith. The junior middle linebacker finished second on the team in tackles last season with 113 and really showed what he could bring to the table as a sophomore. He also had six tackles for loss, a sack, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. The All-Big Ten first-team is calling his name this year.

Sophomore Jonathan Smith will be playing his understudy this season and there’s really not a better guy to learn from. If he picks up anything from Smith, it’d be a win for the Tar Heels when the starter departs. He didn’t play much in 2016 as a true freshman, but he will get regular snaps in 2017.

Starting outside linebackers: Cole Holcomb, Cayson Collins
Backups: Dominique Ross, Ayden Bonilla

As stated earlier, all three linebackers return as starters, including outside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Cayson Collins. Holcomb led the team with 115 tackles as a sophomore, anchoring the young unit. He combined with Smith to be one of the best underclassmen linebacker duos in the nation. Collins, a senior for 2017, finished eighth on the team with 60 tackles as a junior. He’s the vet of the group.

Sophomore Dominique Ross has potential to be a star on the outside as he’s an athletic specimen while junior Ayden Bonilla is also a solid backup. The linebackers are not a position to worry about, despite the lack of a solid run defense in 2016.

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