North Carolina Football: 3 upperclassmen who must step up in 2022
By Dante Pryor
As previously mentioned, the Tar Heels had one of the most enormous catch disparities in the country. Receiver Josh Downs needs someone to compliment him either on the other side or in the slot. Whoever starts at quarterback needs two receivers to rely on.
Downs has proven to be a tremendous high-volume receiver. Senior receiver Antoine Green has to step up and play an even more significant role in the offense.
Two things are going to happen next season. First, defenses are going to roll coverage toward Downs. Second, the ACC Coastal won’t be one of the worst defensive leagues in the country. Whether Drake Maye or Jacolby Criswell starts, they need someone to lean on when the defense takes Dobbs away. What Green gives the Tar Heels is a big-play receiver. He averaged nearly 20 yards per reception last year.
In addition to Green, keep an eye on redshirt freshman Kobe Paysour. He is not an upperclassman and not on this list. However, Paysour and Green could take the pressure off of Dobbs and give whoever starts at quarterback some legitimate weapons.
That said, Green is the veteran with the most experience this side of Dobbs and needs to take another step.