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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) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 05: Elijah Hood #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Kenan Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 05: Elijah Hood #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Kenan Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Starting running back: Michael Carter
Backup: Jordon Brown

The running back spot is an area of concern for many entering the 2017 season, and for good reason. Gone is Elijah Hood who anchored the backfield for the past three years for the Tar Heels, departing after putting up 858 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. He took a step back from his 1,400-yard season in 2015, but felt it was time to leave.

Hood’s departure means that time up for grabs at the running back position and incoming freshman four-star Michael Carter is the early favorite to win the job. He’s been receiving some high praise from the coaching staff and even members of the media.

In fact, Chad Floyd of Tar Heel Blog posed the question, “Can Michael Carter be the next Gio Bernard?” The Tar Heels would be lucky to have another dynamic running back like Bernard and Carter surely has the potential, but will there be growing pains as a freshman or will be bust out?

The former four-star, and fifth-best all-purpose back in the 2017 class, will be fighting for carries with sophomore Jordon Brown. However, Brown didn’t have the best showing in 2016, rushing for just 45 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

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