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

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: M.J. Stewart, Patrice Rene
Backups: Corey Bell, K.J. Sails

The defensive backfield, on the other hand, was impressive in 2016. The unit ranked 12th in the country against the pass and it returns a starter at corner as well as safety. Senior M.J. Stewart returns to the cornerback spot as the starter and he is an All-ACC talent. He had 66 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an outstanding 11 pass deflections last year, but no interceptions.

Sophomore Patrice Rene is a rising star in the secondary and he returns after a decent freshman year with 16 total tackles and two pass deflections in limited time. He showed flashes of being the next star at corner and he gets to prove it this year. Sophomore K.J. Sails and junior Corey Bell will be the No. 2s as both have had small roles on the defense. They will get a chance to compete for time.

Starting safeties: Donnie Miles, Myles Dorn
Backups: J.K. Britt, D.J. Ford

Donnie Miles is the other returning starter from last year’s dynamic secondary. The Tar Heels are lucky enough to have their third-leading tackler back after he put up 102 tackles from the safety spot last season — that’s a testament to how poor the run defense was. He also had two pass deflections, but no interceptions. In fact, the entire unit only combined for two interceptions in 2016.

Another rising star happens to be sophomore Myles Dorn who is expected to start alongside Miles. He had 32 tackles and a pass deflection as a freshman, playing the role of backup. Junior J.K. Britt and sophomore D.J. Ford are the presumed backups, but they have very little on-field experience at this level.