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

5 of 7

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) /

Wide Receivers

Starting receivers: Austin Proehl, Jordan Cunningham, Anthony Ratliff-Williams
Backups: Thomas Jackson, Juval Mollette, J.T. Cauthen

Only one starter is back from the 2016 squad in the receiving corps and that’s senior Austin Proehl. He played third fiddle to Ryan Switzer and Bug Howard last season, but he is going to be expected to step his game up in 2017. He stands just 5-foot-10 and weighs 175 pounds, but he has experience.

In fact, he caught 43 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns in 2016. He’s the only presumed starting receiver in the two-deep who had more than 100 receiving yards last year. Jordan Cunningham, a senior, had six receptions for 82 yards and Anthony Ratliff-Williams, a sophomore, finished with just three catches for 21 yards. Three combined receiving touchdowns in the starting receiver unit? Scary thought for Tar Heels fans.

Senior Thomas Jackson finished with the second most receiving yards, behind Proehl, who is returning to the 2017 squad. He had 17 catches for 186 yards and his four touchdowns are more than the entire projected first unit combined. Juval Mollette and J.T. Cauthen are unproven backups.

Starting tight end: Brandon Fritts
Backup: Carl Tucker

Brandon Fritts is back as the starter for his junior campaign, but he will have to adjust to live without Trubisky, kist like the receivers will. He did catch just six passes for 59 yards and a touchdowns during his sophomore year, but he will be relied upon more this season. Carl Tucker should split snaps with Fritts as he caught nine passes for 130 yards and a score. Not a bad one-two tight end combo.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels