As North Carolina football's director of nutrition, she wants the players to feel like they are not just another number on the roster. With personalized care, nutritional plans and cooperation with the medical training staff, the UNC nutrition department works together to fuelsuccess through the enjoyment and love of food.

Rinestine worked as UNC football's nutrition fellow before making the jump to the NFL level, where she spent time with the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the pros, she felt like something was missing.

"My relationships with [NFL athletes] were just not the kind of relationships that I get here with our athletes," Rinestine said. "I don't think you see as big of an impact."

After Rinestine made her return to UNC as director of nutrition in 2023, her impact was immediately felt. Rinestine's presence was especially welcomed by graduate offensive lineman Austin Blaske, who has to constantly monitor his blood sugar on the field due to his Type 1 diabetes.

Through brainstorming during mealtimes, Rinestine and Blaske have tried new things to help keep his blood sugar where it needs to be. Blaske says that his blood sugar tends to go down during physical activity, and UNC's nutrition department has put him on a good regimen to make sure he is able to play through all the bumps in the road.

"They always want to make it better for me and make sure I'm always out there on a level playing field," Blaske said.

As a senior, linebacker Power Echols knows the UNC nutrition department well -both with and without Rinestine. Heraggressive organization and fired-up personality are the biggest changes since her arrival, and they help the team to know she will do what is best to help them succeed.

Senior wide receiver Nate McCollum said Rinestine makes him want to put in the work. Rinestine, with her 6 a.m. encouragement to come in and eat, helps him to not fall in the traps of being a "typical college athlete."

When McCollum dealt with a lower-body injury last season, he had to battle back while still maintaining his health. Rinestine helped him find that balance and stay healthy.

As a department, UNC football nutrition is constantly looking for ways new research can help players develop. Each week, Rinestine and her assistant, Issy Chung, give the nutrition interns the task of researching and presenting the staff with new articles. New research methods are sometimes posted in a short Instagram slide to be seen by the team.

Rinestine's dedication to the development of the team does not end with meal preparation. Due to her time spent in the big league, she hasconnected UNC players with players she worked with in the NFL. This method of inspiration has helped Tar Heels buy into the kinds of methods Rinestine uses.

"I think it's really important to these guys, because [some] day, that's where they want to be," Rinestine said.

When Rinestine was first introduced to coach Mack Brown, he told her that there would not be a single player she did not like. Although she found that hard to believe at the time, she since realized it to be true.

It is safe to say Rinestine loves the team, and they love her too. As for her best recipe, McCollum said it would have to be a combination of Gatorade electrolytes mixed with Pedialyte.

"It's just a bunch of sugar," he said with a laugh. "It takes out my grandma's Kool-Aid."

@aplancaster_

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

The athletic combine began with testing, which included the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. Following the tests, position-specific workouts allowed scouts to see live reps from players- most notably 60 scripted plays of Maye throwing to Walker and other targets.

Here are a few notes and observations surrounding UNC's three top prospects:

Drake Maye

The latest NFL mock draft from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.has the 6-foot-4-inch quarterback slated to be the third-overall pick in the 2024 draft. If the prediction holds, then Maye will begin his professional career as a New England Patriot. However, other media outlets project Maye to be the second-overall pick by the Washington Commanders, in a close decision between the Tar Heel or LSU QB Jayden Daniels.

Whatever the case may be, Maye hasn't lost any sleep over potential playing destinations. He told reporters staying off social media has kept him level-headed throughout all the pre-draft buzz.

"Faith is big for me," Maye said. "I think you can always get down a dark, deep hole worrying about all the scenarios that can happen - just let [God] handle it, and I'm just focused on my craft and whoever chooses me I think they will be happy."

On Thursday, Maye showcased his throwing ability in a 30-minute passing gauntlet. The script included a more dynamic workout than most pro day routines, with throws that followed roll-outs, simulated pressure and the occasional throw off his back foot.

Maye also distributed the ball evenly across the field. He mixed in deep balls to Walker with an assortment of routes from other former Tar Heels, including tight end BeauCorrales.In his final 15 throws or so, the quarterback took snaps from the 10-yard line and highlighted his passing ability in the red zone.

Even though Maye aimed to complete every pass, the playcaller admitted he fell short of perfection. When he would overthrow or place an out-of-reach ball, Maye repeated the rep to make it right.

"He's very competitive, like one of the most competitive dudes I've been around," Walker said. "[He doesn't] like messing up. He's like a perfectionist, and that's what you want out of your quarterback."

Aside from the three or four miscues, Maye was happy with the performance he put together in front of all 32 NFL teams represented inside UNC's indoor practice facility.

"[It was my] first time getting to show some things in front of these teams," Maye said. "I haven't done anything at the combine, so I wanted to come out here and rip it around and I felt like I did that."

Tez Walker

Projected to be a second-day pick at the NFL draft, Walker exhibits freak athleticism that makes him a raw and talented pass catcher with a lot of potential. The wideout ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the fifthfastest time out of all wide receivers. Pair that with Walker's 40.5 inch vertical jump and the North Carolina native has the athleticism to make some special plays at the next level.

During UNC's pro day, Walker displayed his ability to stretch the field with multiple long-ball targets during Maye's passing workout. He also ran a mixed bag of routes to give scouts different looks throughout the session.

"I wanted [scouts] to focus on speed routes, wanted them to focus on [how] I can run the route tree, get out of those breaks smoothly," Walker said. "Those speed cuts, those intermediate to short-intermediate routes- things like that show I'm not a one-trick pony."

Although improbable, the chance of Walker and Maye being drafted to the same team is a wishful conversation the two have shared. Maye lamentedtheir time on the field together last year was not long enough, withWalker battling eligibility issues for a portion of the season.

Now a new chapter awaits Walker, after the long and winding road it took to get there.

"I didn't know if I was going to be able to play last year or not and be here in front of hundreds of scouts," Walker said. "So it feels real good to be here in this spot."

Cedric Gray

Listed at 6-foot-2.5-inches, 235 pounds, Gray is the perfect athletic build for the NFL linebacker position, which he pairs with great playmaking across the field. Most outlets agree that the tandem of physical traits and high football IQ make him a projected fourth-round pick.

Yet, Gray's success as a linebacker was never something he dreamed of growing up. The Charlotte native instead caught passes as a wide receiver in high school, modeling his game after Julio Jones and sporting number 11 on the back of his jersey.

It wasn't until he arrived in Chapel Hill that Gray converted to the linebacker role and found success after his first start as a sophomore.

"I finally stepped out there and really played significant minutes [and] something just triggered for me and I felt very very comfortable," Gray said. "That was the first time I was like 'I can do this.'"

As for his workout at UNC's pro day, Gray stood on all his numbers from the NFL Combine, including his 4.64 second 40-yard dash. This time around, the focus of Gray's workout was a handful of linebacker drills that highlighted his lateral movement, change of direction and ability to pick off quarterbacks like he did five times as a Tar Heel.

He was joined by fellow linebacker Amari Gainer as the two alternated reps in a 15-minute session of several different drills.

"My goal today was just to come out here, look good, look like I have been staying in shape, looking like a great athlete," Gray said. "I felt like I did that today."

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan from April 25-27.

@cadeshoemaker23

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

The practice was open to the media and displayed several adjustments made since the Tar Heels'30-10 loss to West Virginia in the 2023 Duke's Mayo Bowl. As a result, here are a few observations from the practice concerning the upcoming quarterback battle, the impact of new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and North Carolina's ground game ahead of the annual spring game on April 20.

It's notebook time.

QB Battle

With the departure of Drake Maye for the NFL draft, the UNC quarterback room has created a two-man race for the starting job between sophomore Conner Harrell and graduate transfer Max Johnson.

Harrell appeared in five games for the Tar Heels' last season before starting in UNC's bowl game at the end of the year. Johnson played in eight games and started five last season for Texas A&M, finishing with 1,452 passing yards and nine touchdowns.

"[Connor] and Max are going to have a great battle to see who is going to be QB1," senior offensive lineman Willie Lampkin said. "I'm happy for both of them. I feel like they're both great quarterbacks and both have great potential."

During the intra-squad scrimmages, Harrell was the one to receive first-team reps with the offense. He displayed his deep-ball accuracy on one occasion and made plays with his legs like he did during his lone start in UNC's bowl game. However, much like that game, Harrell's poor pocket awareness led to a handful of simulated sacks within the scrimmage.

In regards to Johnson, the veteran received praise from his coaches for his footwork and pocket presence. However, the Georgia native had a handful of overthrows and out-of-reach passes that eventually led to an interception by senior defensive back Alijah Huzzie. Despite these troubles, Johnson appeared to make good reads across the field for a quarterback new to the playbook.

Whoever the starter may be by the regular season, one thing is for sure: the competition is infectious.

"I feel like [the battle] is going to bring the best out of everybody," Lampkin said.

Minister of Mayhem

It's easy to pick out the latest coaching hire for the Tar Heels.

Sporting his BillBelichick-style cutoff sweatshirt, Collins is an energy machine. Ask any of the Tar Heels on the defensive side of the ball and they will tell you the countless ways their new defensive coordinator is intense.

"He brings a ton of energy to the table, and you have no choice but to match his energy," Huzzie said. "He pumps up everybody and brings a light to the defense."

On one occasion during the simulated scrimmage, a defensive lineman broke through the trenches for a would-be tackle for loss. Before the player got a chance to celebrate on his own, Collins was there banging on his pads with infectious joy.

As for the X's and O's,Huzzie said the defensive coordinator has added more blitz packages and pressures to align with his disruptive mindset.

This was evident to Lampkin. At times, him and the otheroffensive linemenhad trouble keeping the tenacious pass rushers at bay.

"They brought the intensity on the first day," Lampkin said. "I felt like that's what we need, especially in the trenches. Who is going to bring the energy, who is going to bring the best out of each other and that's what we need."

'Run the damn ball'

With the return of junior running back Omarion Hampton, the Tar Heels may look to increase the star's workload without Maye in the offense. On Tuesday, Hampton was able to find holes for strong carries in both the scrimmages and drills.

"We do a lot of similar things, just reading the holes is going to be the same," Hampton said. "But I feel like they are opening up the holes a little bit better this year."

Of course, the desire to establish a better run game is fully embraced by the offensive line. Lampkin said the motto for this upcoming season is "run the damn ball." That starts with a group of guards who are on the same page.

To get there, Lampkin is providing the leadership. Offensive line coach Randy Clements used Lampkin to show correct technique in drills and be the example for the younger players on Tuesday.

"They didn't have opportunities to play last year, because we had all the older guys playing," Lampkin said. "So just off of today, I feel like we are going to make a big step to get ready for the season."

@cadeshoemaker23

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Kiersten Thomassey, positioned mere feet from a cardboard box filled to the brim with commemorative national championship hats, can still recall the moment the UNC field hockey team's season shifted.

"We were rolling," the senior midfielder said, reflecting on the team's October game against Virginia. "We were playing so well -absolutely killing it."

Thanks to its simple play and clean passing, North Carolina had built a 2-0 lead at halftime. Thomassey still isn't sure what happened - maybe they felt too comfortable or were nervous to lose the lead - but UNC began to play on its heels. UVA came out ready in the second half. The Tar Heels were completely rattled and dropped the game 3-2.

"That was the game where we were like, 'Our season cannot keep going on like this,'" Thomassey said.

Enter Dr. Jeni Shannon. Shannon, director of the Carolina Athletics Mental Health and Performance Psychology Program, works with teams like the field hockey program weekly in sports psychology meetings. Whether it's performance anxiety or body image, Shannon is there to help. And for elite athletes like Thomassey, taking control of the mental aspect of the game has become an increasingly important step toward success on the field.

In the case of UNC field hockey, the team identified momentum as an issue following the loss to the Cavaliers. Shannon came in with a plan, and in their next team session the Tar Heels talked about what to do when they recognized that things were slowing down mid-game. Thomassey said the Tar Heels were a completely new teamafter that session.

"Even through the national championship game, we were able to recognize those moments and just say, 'We're not gonna let this happen to us,'" Thomassey said. "We took it and ran with it, and we obviously won so it worked out."

'A bit of a speed bump'

His nickname might be "the Butcher," but UNC football senior defensive lineman Kaimon Rucker would argue that's only one side of his personality. The Butcher is an alter ego, if you will. When Rucker's on the field, he's as aggressive as a rolling ball of butcher knives.

But off the field, Rucker is one of the most prominent advocates for mental health on the UNC campus, for both athletes and non-athletes.

"For him, as a football player -historically a sports culture that has not been as receptive to mental health -to have him be a representative and an advocate has made more of a difference on that team and on our athletic department than any talk myself or my staff can give,"Shannon said.

Rucker spoke last year at a UNC Athletics event about mental health, sharing his story with his fellow athletes. Still, he admits he has his struggles from time to time.

The senior recalls a practice ahead of the North Carolina football team's game against Clemson in November where his mental health hit a bit of a speed bump.

"I just remember I got a rep, I won and I showed no emotion," he said.

Gene Chizik, the former defensive coordinator at UNC, asked Rucker, "Hey, are you good?" He told Rucker, "You can trust me. You can tell me what's going on."

Rucker brushed it off. He identified as an independent person. Now, he can admit he simply didn't want to tell Chizik the truth of what was really going on.

So, he simply said, "I'm fine."

He wasn't. Soon, he felta bottle of emotion.For some reason, he kept getting worked up. Still, Rucker pushed through practice.

"Next thing you know, [my] emotions overwhelm me," he said. "I started getting really anxious. I was like 'I can't do it. I can't go through practice right now.'"

Rucker told Chizik he had to go, exited practice and made a beeline to the training room, where he broke down. Lots of factors were at play: school, a recent death in the family and the constant pressure Rucker puts on himself to perform at a high level on the field.

Since that practice, Rucker has shifted his mindset around his mental health.

"When things get too tough, it's OK to ask for assistance," Rucker said. "It's OK to depend on the help of your teammates, your friends, your family, your coaches. Once I realized that, it has relieved me from a lot of mental stress and anxiety."

'Room to grow'

While Rucker, Thomassey and many other UNC athletes have taken advantage of the resources Shannon's department offers, there's arguably room to grow.

Thomassey is a member of North Carolina's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, which meets about once a month to organize and advocate for the voices of UNC athletes. She said the SAAC has honed inon the topic of mental health.

On Feb. 5, Thomassey and former UNC runner Sully Shelton attended a Faculty Athletics Committee meeting on behalf of the SAAC. They spoke about the need for additional mental health resources for athletes given their busy schedules.

"I am completely on the wave of getting more licensed therapists and anyone else that could help into student athletics," Shelton said at the FAC meeting. "I think that's a long way to go. I just wanted to voice my concern for that."

UNC athletics currently has three licensed mental health clinicians on staff, but Shannon agrees that her program can always benefit from more providers.

Shannon said her department does not currently have enough latitude to meet all of UNC athletes' needs without a wait, and she doesn't have a clear timeline on when they will be able to hire more professionals.

Still, Shannon pointed to her department's hiring of a case manager a few weeks ago, Shaquilla Jones, who she hopes will help bridge the gap. She said Jones' duties include helping to manage thedepartment's response times, waitlist and walk-in availabilities as well as referring athletes to community resources when her program is at capacity.

"While I think there's always room to grow and be better, the amount of progress we've made, both in terms of resources and conversation and reducing stigma in this period of time, it's just incredible," Shannon said. "I'm really proud of what we've been able to do and really appreciate the push from the student athletes because this is really where it came from."

@shelbymswanson

@dthsports|sports@dailytarheel.com

Now, with less than two months until the Tar Heel spring football game, here are three key takeaways from media day:

Early wake-ups and fine dining

Since the majority of early enrollees are fresh out of high school, the adjustment from Friday night lights to the DI level can be eye-opening. Nearly every recruit had some type of 'wow moment' after their first workout with the team.

For defensive back Jaiden Patterson, his welcome to UNC football began with his alarm clock blaring at five in the morning. By 6:30, the 4-star prospect was in one of the most rambunctious weight rooms of his life.

"Everybody's energy was crazy," Patterson said. "I was just like wow."

Fellow DB Tyrane Stewart had the most unique moment out of everyone. The junior college transfer admitted that life as a Tar Heel moved a whole lot faster. Ranging from workouts to classroom material, Stewart mentioned how it's taking him time to adapt after two years at East Mississippi Community College.

But playing at a DI level has certain perks that JUCO, the junior college level, doesn't offer. What new luxury is Stewart most excited about?

The hibachi.

"[I] keep eating till I get big," he said. "I like it. At JUCO we didn't have all these resources."

Advice from the vet

The addition of pass rushers Daniel Anderson and Curtis Simpson adds a jolt of youth to a veteran defensive line for the Tar Heels.

Last year, senior jack Kaimon Rucker led UNC in tackles for loss including a team-high 8.5 sacks. Now in his final season of football, Rucker has taken Anderson and Simpson under his wing since they first stepped foot on campus.

The pair of early enrollees both praised the defensive leader for showing them the ropes early on. Anderson, who said he emulates everything the senior does, specifically sought Rucker's advice in understanding the playbook.

"He makes it very simple," Anderson said. "He has his own way of making it easy to remember off the top of the [head]. The way the older players learned the playbook."

Anderson has also taken after Rucker's mentality in the weight room. He saidhe models his posture to be "head up, chest out" so that his teammates never see him tired.

As for Simpson, the 3-star prospect has enjoyed talking shop with the veteran. Like the time he and Rucker spent up to 15 minutes conversing about a simple rip move -which eventually pinpointed a technique that has already improved the rookie's game.

"Any time I'm working with him and we're just doing fieldwork, I'm asking questions," Simpson said.

'Rude Boyz'

A key attribute that unites thefiveearly enrollee defensive backs -Jalon Thompson, Ty White, Zion Ferguson, Patterson and Stewart -is the track and field background they all share. When asked who of the DBs they would take in a 100-meter dash, each track star called their own name without any hesitation.

"I gotta be the fastest," Thompson said, in a response similar to many others.

As for the credentials, Patterson clears the bunch. His six Junior Olympic medals and high school track records in the 200 and 400 meters speak for themselves. And it doesn't just stop there.

On special teams, Patterson's speed off the edge allowed him to block four kicks throughout his senior season - a talent which he thanked track workouts for to build his reaction time and quick get-off.

"I was getting my start, I would see the ball moving and I would just take off and dive," Patterson said.

Outside of the trash talk about who's the fastest, the first-year DB room already has a special bond. According to Patterson and others, it's everyone's fire for competition that unites the group daily.

Throw in new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, and the young defensive backs are playing with a chip on their shoulders.

Which makes it safe to say the DB nickname "Rude Boyz" from the 1990s isn't going away anytime soon.

@cadeshoemaker23

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

Last Wednesday, the offensive group met with media for the first time. With less than two months until North Carolina's spring football game, here are the key takeaways:

'Fun to be in that tight end room'

Adding further depth to a highly-skilled tight end room are first-years Timmy Lawson and Ryan Ward. The pair come in boasting impressive speed, but are looking to add weight so they can be more effective in the blocking game.

Ward, a New Jersey native, was told to add seven pounds of muscle mass by the fall - a caution his older brother, a tight end at Rutgers, mentioned prior to his arrival.

"He definitely warned me before my recruitment and commitment that I would be seeing the strength and conditioning coaches quite a lot," Ward said. "And I definitely have been."

Lawson, a dual-sport athlete - in addition to football, he will be a pitcher for next year's Diamond Heels - came early to recover from an ACL tear that sidelined him from a portion of his senior season.

The 4-star prospect is thankful he can still grow his football knowledge, even with his mobility being limited. The opportunity to learn from veterans like graduate John Copenhaver and senior Bryson Nesbit is a blessing that both first-years acknowledged.

"You got a lot of people to learn from, you got a lot of people to watch and kind of emulate when you're in the locker room," Lawson said. "So it's really nice having those guys around and their super cool guys, so it's fun to be in that tight end room."

Coaching connections

A common thread among all players was their respective relationships with the UNC coaching staff. Regardless of position, each player expressed how easy the transition from high school to college has been because of their coaches.

First-year offensive linemenDesmond Jackson, Aidan Banfield, Luke Masterson, Andrew Rosinski and Jani Norwood have already built a great bond with offensive line coordinator Randy Clements.

"The first thing that stood out when I came here was the relationships I was able to build with my coaches," Jackson said. "They were always great people during the recruiting process. I felt like I was comfortable just talking to them."

First-year Michael Merdinger, a quarterback coming from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, also echoed praise for his coaches. The 3-star prospect first built a relationship with his staff as a backup in high school. During his junior season, Merdinger met offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey in the bathroom of his team's locker room.

But Lindsey - recruiting for UCF at the time - was not there to scout Merdinger. He was interested in seeing senior starter Dylan Rizk. However, while visiting Rizk at Cardinal Gibbons, Lindsey was impressed with Merdinger's talent and later recruited the quarterback after a breakout senior season.

"The whole process with him was super bottom line, super upfront and honest," Merdinger said. "It's really what I wanted."

High school smack talk

Highlighting the skill positions are running back Davion Gause and a trio of homegrown North Carolinian wide receivers: Jordan Shipp, Alex Taylor and Javarius 'Vari' Green.

In middle school, Gause was given the nickname 'Bullet' by a coach who admired his hard-hitting ability. Fast forward to today, and the South Florida native's physicality is considered one of his best attributes.

Whether it is breaking through the line of scrimmage or being a menace in pass protection, Gause does not shy away from big hits. But according to him, his greatest skill as a back is his patience.

"You gotta let the blocks develop," Gause explained. "Sometimes the linebackers might over-pursue you, and you gotta have a cutback."

As for the wideouts, UNC recruited a talented bunch from the Tar Heel state, which allowed familiarity tobondthe competitive pass catchers.

Although none of the three played each other's high school teams, Taylor and Shipp did competein 7-on-7s over the summer. Green said this fuels constant trash talk about the high school glory days.

"We hear it every day up in the cafe, always talking about 'Oh, my high school would have beat yours,'" Green said. "We hear it every day, but you never really know."

@cadeshoemaker23

@dthsports|sports@dailytarheel.com

This makes sense, as Harris is a new Tar Heel via the transfer portal. But his socks weren't Jordan Brand - instead, they were black with a red Adidas logo. The defensive back's wardrobe still contains remnants of his previous school: N.C. State.

"Obviously that's an interesting transfer, going from an in-state rival to here," UNC football general manager Patrick Suddes said. "But that's the nature of the portal now. Everybody's just looking for an opportunity to go and compete and play."

Harris will make the unique switch from Carter-Finley Stadium to Kenan Stadium for his final year of eligibility in 2024. The Savannah, Ga.native played in 48 games for the Wolfpack over five seasons and started 22 of them. Harris' best season for N.C. State came as a sophomore in 2020 when he started every game and tallied 76 tackles, an interception and seven pass break ups.

His 2023 season ended before it could really begin when he suffered a left pectoral tear in the Wolfpack's first game. He's recovered now, however, and will provide needed experience in the secondary for head coach Mack Browngiven the departures of Giovanni Biggers and Don Chapman in 2024.

After Harris entered the transfer portal in late November, it didn't take long for him to get on campus. UNC's staff called Harris and wanted him to come visit. A few days later, he made the short drive to Chapel Hill. On the visit, the Tar Heels staff showed Harris his film and told him what they like about his game. Harris said defensive backs coach Charlton Warren was "fired up" about him.

"Just meeting with Coach Brown and Coach Warren," Harris said. "It was just great relationships, and I just felt like this was the right move to make."

The transition has been smooth andHarris said he's already developed a bond with his new teammates, especially fellow defensive backs Alijah Huzzie and Antavious "Stick"Lane. Suddes said the team has embraced Harris and that he expects him to be a leader for the Tar Heels.

But what type of football player is Harris? Well, he loves to tackle -the most important skill for a safety. He said he learned by competing in the Oklahoma drill when he was little. Harris is also an instinctive and physical player with a knack for finding the football.

"Just getting around him, you can tell how important football is to him," Suddes said. "He's tough as crap."

That toughness and love for the game shows in his desire to finish his college career strong in 2024.

Following a great year in 2020, Harris' numbers decreased over the next two. He started six games in 2021 and only two in 2022. Then came the injury in 2023. It required a surgery - and another surgery just days after because of an infection. It hasn't been an easy run.

"You gotta keep going every day because you never know when you can be taken away from the game," Harris said. "I had two injuries, so I know how it feels, but I never had a season ending injury. That really hit me hard [last] year, and now I know you have to just take it one day at a time and just work hard at everything."

Harris is looking forward to the occasion of playing against his former team this upcoming season, but his aspirations extend beyond Nov. 30.

"For me, I want to win an ACC Championship," Harris said. "So that's the goal - to win an ACC Championship and hopefully be in the playoffs."

@dthsports|sports@dailytarheel.com

To play under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's offense. To experience collegiate football with his brother. A new set of golf clubs for Christmas.

Following stints at LSU and Texas A&M, things have become clear for the graduate quarterback. After four years of SEC football, two different programs and 30 total games, Johnson knows what he needs from a program.

And after talking to UNChead coach Mack Brown, Johnson knew he wanted to become a Tar Heel.

Playing time did not motivate Johnson during the conversation. Instead, he admitted to being struck by one thing: Brown's endless support for sophomore quarterback Drake Maye.

Sure, Johnson loved Lindsey's focus on developing Maye while at UNC, but it all came back to Brown's unwavering treatment of the former Tar Heel quarterback.

"Honestly, just the way he talked about Drake was awesome," Johnson said. "The way he defended him, the way he backed him up, the way he encouraged him [and] the way he just put him on a pedestal."

With this support system at North Carolina, general manager Patrick Suddes is already seeing Johnson take on a vocal role.

"He's always out on the field with those guys - [he's] really embraced the leadership role and trying to bring guys along to go throw," he said.

After only seeing the field during 12 games at Texas A&M, Johnson knew he wanted to experience a program where continuous encouragement is the standard -a team where the coaches defend the quarterback from pressure or blame. He could get that support if he became a Tar Heel.

It also helped that his brother, Jake, wanted to wear Carolina Blue. Following two seasons at Texas A&M, sophomore tight end Jake Johnsondecided to transfer to UNC.

The two brothers have gotten to experience the milestones of each other's football careers. Max watched as Jake settled into the tight end position following stints as a lineman in middle school. They both reached the heights of the Georgia4A state title game together. Max even threw Jake his first collegiate touchdown at Texas A&M.

Now, Max is looking forward to the opportunity to create those same memories with Jake at North Carolina.

"I'm excited to kind of grow with him," Max said. "He's my best friend so I'm looking forward to it."

With support from both coaches and his own brother, Johnson wants to make an impact as a quarterback immediately. With an offense that reminds him of his days at LSU, he hopes to use his pro-style type of play and strong arm to make accurate passes and run when needed. Johnson also prides himself on understanding defenses well to make adjustments during gametime decisions.

"He's one of the hardest workers I know,"Jake Johnson said of his brother,"and I know that he'll perform just from all the work that he's put into it and he's dedicated to the game and really just loves it."

As the Tar Heels prepare to take the field for spring practice, Max Johnsonsaid he is not too worried about the quarterback battle between him and sophomore Conner Harrell. Instead, with his brand new golf clubs, Johnson takes the competition to the links for a friendly round of 18, where Harrell currently has the upper hand.

With two schools under his belt and only two seasons left to play, Max Johnson wants to enjoy every moment at a program that finally boasts the things he wants from a team.

"[I want to] keep building these friendships and relationships with the coaches and taking one day at a time," he said.

@_emmahmoon

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

UNCfootball senior linebacker Kaimon Rucker can name a couple: the type of design an athlete wants, creating a logo that will best represent an athlete's personality, finding a website to drop merch. The list continues.

"Honestly, I feel like the main thing is just getting the plane to take off," Rucker said.

The UNC NIL Store, which launched on Jan. 16, may help get athletes' apparel aims off the tarmac. UNC offered the opportunity to all of its athletes. According to its previous press releases on partnering with Temple University and Georgetown University, the NIL store handles numerous operations such as product design, marketing and customer service and is operated by Campus Ink.

Rucker launched his "Ruck the Butcher" merchandise thanks to his former high school football coach and owner of The Champions Locker Room, Greg Gaines. Gaines and his teamin Rucker's hometownofHartwell, Ga., designs the logos and Rucker approves them.

UNC hasoffered educational services for other athletes who wish to makemerchandise like this. For example, according to Associate Athletic Director Nate Wood, the UNCLaw School has provided legal assistance, and UNC's partners - Compass and INFLCR - create several short tutorials on graphic design and scrubbing logos.

"We'll put out the crayons and the paper," Wood said, "But you guys draw."

When the UNC NIL Store launched, athletes already had T-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks with their name and, when applicable, jersey number on the back. Any given item is the same price, no matter the athlete.

Any athlete can now also make custom designs. Wood said Campus Ink plans to select a few UNCathletes it believes will have the biggest impact and help them create designs of their own.

To sell merchandise on the NIL Store, athletes must opt into The Brandr Group licensing agreement, enablingTBG to use an athlete's NIL for other campaigns. Athletes can, however, opt out of individual campaigns.

Depending on the product, athletes typically receive between $6 and $15 (about 20 percent commission)according to Sean Ellenby, director of NIL Marketing and Communications at Campus Ink.

So far, the feedback has been positive. Wood said he has even received a few inquiries from athletes wondering how to opt into the group licensing agreement.

UNCwomen's basketball star Deja Kelly said her agency has been working with the NIL Store. She thinks people would rather buy the hoodies and crewnecks offered by the store than just her replica jersey and tees. Kelly herself loves hoodies, and so far, she's loved the store's designs.

"I don't know if I have to buy it or they'll give it to me for free, since it's my name on it," Kelly said. "I definitely want some for myself."

Rucker said he isn't yet sure whether he'll bring his custom designs to the NIL Store platform, as he doesn't want the attention there to overtake The Champions Locker Room. Still, he said the store offers a great opportunity for athletes who don't yet have a site to sell merchandise.

One such athlete is Anika Yarlagadda, a sixth-year student who had not sold merchandise until the NIL Store launched. Yarlagadda had not dived into NIL, as it had been approved by the NCAAlater in her collegiate career. Fanatics, which sells UNC athlete's replica jerseys online, does not offer women's tennis jerseys - so for Yarlagadda, the NIL Store is a welcome opportunity.

"It's really cool that they're expanding to other sports, because I know basketball and football get all of that," Yarlagadda said. "And it's really cool to see our names on the back of a jersey."

Caroline Wills contributed reporting to this story.

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"In the first 10 minutes, Geoff had everyone eating out of his hands," the head coach said.

Suffice to say, he got the job.

While reflecting on Collins' arrival during a press conference on Monday, Brown pretended to write check marks on a piece of paper. The veteran coach has finally found what he is looking for. Collins checks all the boxes.

Following the departure of Gene Chizik, the former assistant head coach for defense, at the end of the 2023 season, UNC Athletic Communications announced thatCollins would be taking over the defensive coordinator position.The "Minister of Mayhem," as he is nicknamed,previously spent 11 years as adefensive coordinator at programs like Florida International, Mississippi State and Floridawith defenses ranking as high as No. 5 nationally. Before 2022, he served as the head coach at Temple and Georgia Tech.

After being fired by the Yellow Jackets in September 2022, it didn't take too long for Collins to return to the game. During week one of the 2023 season, Collins was on the field for pregame warmups during the Central Michigan-Michigan State game to "support a couple of buddies."His wife, Jennifer, looked over to her husband and saw a look in his eyes.

"She was like, 'Okay, we're probably going to end up getting back into this thing by the end of the season,'" Collins said.

With time on his handsand the drive to get back into the game, Collins dedicated himself to studying. He focused on trends, watched tape and found jobs doing some consulting work with major programs like Georgia to get back to what he missed most -leading a defense.

The last time Collins was a defensive coordinator was in 2016 during his two-season stint with Florida. During both seasons, he sported a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally.

"Being a head coach is awesome, but I genuinely miss being a playcaller and standing in front of a defense," Collins said.

So, when a Hall of Famer like Brown called, Collins left his "man cave" and came to Chapel Hill.

After UNC's defense ranked just 95th nationally in 2023, and 116th nationally in 2022, Collins is looking to create consistency.To play fast, free and aggressive. To create chaos without being chaotic.

For Collins, this simplicity in combination with his fiery style of play manifests into being aggressive on first downs, getting his players into advantageous positions and creating third-and-longs to force turnovers.Instead of relying heavily on starters, Collins plans to rotate players more frequently and give them a simpler style of play calling so they can "cut loose" in the backfield.

To Brown and newly promoted defensive line coach Ted Monachino, Collins represents what the UNC coaching staff has been longing for since the head coach's return - a chance to get to the next level after several disappointing ends to the season.

"It's hard to see around corners sometimes and we didn't do a very good job of seeing around corners defensively here," Monachino said. "I think that's going to be a big part of our mission moving forward."

With Collins on the sidelines, the Tar Heels will have the chance to move past recent late-season struggles and bring a new style of defense to Chapel Hill.

"We're close, man," Brown said. "We just got to take another step."

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"Gene Chizik is one of the best football coaches I've shared the sideline with during my 46 years of coaching," Brown said in the statement released by athletic communications. "He's a man of faith who worked tirelessly to provide the best coaching and mentorship he could to the young men he coached. We met extensively following the season, and despite the improvements from last season to this season, we mutually agreed that parting ways would be in the best interest of both he and the program. I want to thank Gene and his family for all they've done for our program and wish them nothing but the best."

Per Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Geoff Collins, former head coach at Georgia Tech and Temple, has been hired as the new defensive coordinator for UNC football, replacing Chizik.

Collins was let go from Georgia Tech midseason in 2022. A former linebacker at Western Carolina, Collins was a defensive coordinator at Florida, Mississippi State, and Florida International before coaching at Temple and, most recently, Georgia Tech. North Carolina officially announced his hiring on X and Instagram Friday.

Tar Heels, help us welcome our new Defensive Coordinator Geoff Collins 🐏

Info ▶️ https://t.co/14Xvi7Gb6M#CarolinaFootball 🏈 #UNCommon pic.twitter.com/Imte64Vu6g

- Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January 5, 2024

Chizik, despite a 28-year long collegiate coaching career and a successful tenure as defensive coordinator at UNC from 2015-2016, was largely unable to find success in his second stint at North Carolina over the past two seasons.

The UNC defense ranked just 95th nationally in 2023, and 116th nationally in 2022, and played a significant role in the late season collapses the team suffered in both years.

"Being a part of 36 wins and two ACC Coastal Championships during my four years at UNC has truly been a blessing," Chizik stated. "Mack Brown and I will continue to be the closest of friends and I want to wish all of the coaches, players and administration the best moving forward. I love these young men at UNC and will always be grateful that our paths crossed."

Additionally, Tim Cross, the defensive line coach, will be replaced by current senior defense analyst Ted Monachino.

"I want to thank Coach Cross and his family for all they've done for our program," Brown said. "He is a wonderful man and an outstanding football coach. Tim really cares about the young men he coaches, and you can see that in the relationships he's built with them. We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Monachino joined the program prior to the 2023 season, bringing with him 33 years of coaching experience including 16 years in the NFL.

"Iwas very impressed with Coach Monachino's work ethic and acumen during his first year as an analyst," Brown said. "I believe his depth of experience at the NFL and collegiate levels will be a great asset to not only our defensive line room, but our defense as a whole. It's also an added bonus that our players are already familiar with him. I'm excited to see what he can do in this new role."

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"I don't have any idea," he said. "I really don't. I wasn't joking."

Although Brown attributed his lack of knowledge to the new offense on display -one without star quarterback Drake Maye andwide receiver Tez Walker, who bothdeclared for the NFL Draft and opted out of the game-the outcome could have been predicted simply based on last season.The 30-10 loss to the Mountaineers on Wednesday was far too familiar for UNC's veteran players. The last two seasons, North Carolina has routinely collapsed in the second half of its schedule.

One year ago, senior jack Kaimon Rucker said he cried in the locker room after UNC lost in the last minute to Oregon. Following this year's bowl game, he found himself in tears once again. While he told his teammates to "keep [their] head up" in the locker room scene, he was unable to hold his own tears back after another hopeful season turned into a three-game skid.

"I don't personally have an answer for it," Rucker said. "I wish I did."

The last time he let his tears fall freely in the locker room was eight weeks ago in October, when Rucker saw the telltale signs of an imploding season emerging after North Carolina lost to an unranked Georgia Tech team.

After that game, Brown was also left answerless, simply stating that he would "watch the video."

But nothing seemed to change after that loss, and the season continued to slip away, culminating in a disappointing bowl game to cap off the year.

The only response Brown could muster after the poor showing against the Mountaineers was one that was eerily similar to his remarks two months prior.

"I'll go watch the video tonight," he said. "I'll watch every play and grade it."

It was an unsatisfying answer to an unsatisfying season that began with a 6-0 run and ended with a 5-1 total collapse.

After failing to come to concrete conclusions the entire season, he continued to repeat the same phrases - with "I don't know" being the main one - accompanied by inconsistent claims.

Even with all these unanswered questions, and the Tar Heels' inability to find success in the second half of the season, junior linebacker Power Echols wanted to lay it out on the line one last time in the bowl game to end the year on a positive note.

"That's what getting to win means to us," he said.

However, those goals were dashed. The Tar Heels exited the field with heads hung low as the Duke's Mayo Bowl trophy was hoisted by the Mountaineers.

This final scene shouldn't come as a surprise for a team unable to find the answers to its woes.

Brown wasn't able to solve the puzzle, and withthe season's conclusion, he was finally able to admit that his year-long search for answers had led to nothing.

"It's something I am still trying to figure out or I damn sure would have fixed it."

@_emmahmoon

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Replacing seven offensive starters who were absent from his depth chart on Wednesday night, the North Carolina football head coach claimed his staff nicknamed the matchup as the "New Opportunity Bowl."At his press conference prior to the bowl game, Brownsympathized with how hard it is for most players to get the in-game reps during the season. The head coach rattled off a few players that would see the field against West Virginia - some for the first time all season.

And if his first collegiate start was any indication, redshirt first-year quarterback Conner Harrell benefitted the most from the "New Opportunity Bowl."WithDrake Maye opting out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft, Harrell earned his first start of the season and gained valuable minutes.Still, after a quick glance at the box score in North Carolina's 30-10 defeat to West Virginia in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, it's hard to take away many positives.

UNC blanked the scoreboard in the second half for the first time all season.The199 passing yardsthe Tar Heels accrued was the lowest amount in over 25 consecutive games.

This was due, in part, to the offensive line allowing Harrell to be sacked seven times, as the young signal-caller rarely had enough time to make the reads or throws that were expected of him.

"I thought Conner competed," Brown said. "Ididn't think we helped him enough.We didn't give him enough protection."

In the few moments that Harrell could stand strong in the pocket, the quarterback was able to make some impressive plays. In the Tar Heels' second drive, Harrell aired out a deep ball to sophomore wide receiver Gavin Blackwell, who hauled in the dime for a 47-yard pickup.

Harrell was also able to make multiple plays with his legs, picking up four different rushes for at least 10 yards.

Yet Harrell's inexperience eventually caught up to him, as a pair of interceptions - the first of which came in the red zone - and a slew of incompletions down the stretch contributed to UNC's season-low of 10 points.

"I can watch the film, get better, learn and get back to work," Harrell said. "I think I did make some throws, I scrambled sometimes when I needed to. Obviously I need to see the film, see what it's all about, but I think I have some stuff to carry on - some stuff to build on."

After the game, Brownhighlightedhow this experience will aid Harrell ahead of spring practice next semester, where he will be competing against portal transfer Max Johnson for the starting job.

"It seems like it's his deal,"Brown saidof Harrell before the game. "He's running it and he's gotten more snaps in two weeks than he's gotten in two years."

Outside of the coaching offices, Harrell has also amassed support from his teammates.

As the former valedictorian of his high school class, Harrell is a student of the game. It's well noted by teammates how in-depth his film study is, and as a result, receivers like junior J.J. Jones believethe playbook won't shrink under Harrell's lead.

Instead, Jones believes that with time, his new passer could be a continuation of the great quarterback play that Tar Heel fans have become accustomed to.

"I don't want people to think it's a step down," Jones said in a press conference ahead of the game. "It's just a change of scenery."

@cadeshoemaker23

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In his first career start for the Tar Heels, redshirt first-year quarterback Conner Harrell threw for 199 yards and rushed for 39, along with a singular passing touchdown. Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton tallied 74 yards on 19 carries.

The Mountaineers torched the Tar Heel secondary for a 75-yard passing touchdown on the game's opening play. The designed play action allocated enough time for junior quarterback Garrett Greene to air out a deep ball to first-year wide receiver Traylon Ray - who burned graduate defensive back Armani Chatman.

"First play we talked about stopping the run with the number one run offense in the country, and they got 1-on-1 with our corner and their guy beat our guy," head coach Mack Brown said.

Moments later, Harrell took the field for UNC. In his inaugural drive as QB1, the former Alabama Gatorade player of the year displayed his athletic nature with a pair of runs that notched over 32 yards. However, the Tar Heel possession stalled just past midfield and Harrell's opening drive resulted in a punt.

Midway through the first quarter, Harrell displayed his arm strength to set UNC up inside the red zone. Dropping back to throw, Harrell unloaded a bomb into the outstretched arms of sophomore wide receiver Gavin Blackwell, which gained 47 yards through the air.

North Carolina came up empty, however, after Harrell overthrew redshirt first-year tight end Deems May on a crossing route. May deflected the out-of-reach ball into the air where a West Virginia defensive back collected the interception in his own end zone.

"[Harrell] hadn't worked with [May] before really," Brown said. "I thought the first one probably was forced. It was over the middle and there were two safeties there, and he had a chance but threw it a little high."

It wasn't until the start of the second quarter that the Tar Heels got onto the scoreboard. Graduate jack Amari Gainer knocked the ball loose from West Virginia running back DJ Oliver and UNC took over possession in its own half. The forced fumble eventually led to a chip shot field goal for junior kicker Noah Burnette.

With under two minutes before the halftime break, Mountaineer Beanie Bishop Jr. cribbed a 78-yard punt return to place West Virginia ahead 14-3.

In response, Harell drove UNC's offense 75 yards down the field - culminating in a passing touchdown to junior wide receiver J.J. Jones.

North Carolina trailed 10-17 at the half, following a made field goal by West Virginia.

UNC failed to score on any of its drives in the third quarter - the first of which ended with Harrell's second interception of the night. The defense held the Mountaineers to merely a field goal, marking the third quarter as the only frame where West Virginia did not score a touchdown.

Heading into the final 15 minutes of play, the Tar Heels trailed 20-10.

The 10-point deficit grew to 17 a few minutes later, as West Virginia first-year running back Jaheim White galloped his way across the goal line to put the Mountaineers ahead 27-10.

West Virginia went on to shut out North Carolina's offense in the second half, eliminating the ability for UNC to mount any comeback in the fourth quarter.

"It's tough [to lose] for all of the guys in the locker room, just everybody," Harrell said. "You hate losing. It's a sick feeling, a sick feeling in my stomach but you got to get over it, got to get better."

With a defeat in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, North Carolina concludes its season in Charlotte - losing its final three games of the year after a 6-0 start.

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"Tar Heel Nation, the best fans out there. You have made my time at UNC truly special, thank y'all." Maye wrote in his statement. "I have decided to forego the bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft. Forever and always, Go Heels!"

Maye's decision comes after spending three years as a Tar Heel. He started the last two seasons under center after redshirting his first.

In his first regular season at North Carolina, Maye broke numerous single-season records, including passing yards, total offense, 200-yard passing games and 300-yard passing games. Furthermore, he also tied former standout quarterback Sam Howell, with 38 passing touchdowns.

In 2022, Maye was named ACC Player of the Year, becoming the first Tar Heel to win the honor since Lawrence Taylor in 1980.He was also named ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, and led the Tar Heels to a 9-5 record and appearance in the ACC Championship game.

In his sophomore effort, Maye threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding 449 yards on the ground and nine rushing touchdowns. However, the Tar Heels were only able to muster a 8-4 record on the season after a late season collapse.

"Thank you, Coach Brown, for the opportunity to live out my dream of playing quarterback in Carolina Blue," Maye wrote. "To the rest of the coaching staff and support staff, thank you for the countless hours of helping me along the way."

He concludes his time at UNC with 8,018 career passing yards and 1,209 rushing yards, along with 79 combined touchdowns.

With his announcement, Maye became thefourth Tar Heel to declare for the draft, behind junior wide receiver Tez Walker, senior linebacker Cedric Gray, and senior defensive lineman Myles Murphy. In an email following Maye's post, UNC athletic communications confirmed that graduate offensive lineman Corey Gaynor will also enter the draft.

Walker officially announced his departure Tuesday morning in a post on X, following multiple reports that he was planning on declaring and after accepting his invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl.

"Thanks to the entire Tar Heel nation for welcoming me with open arms and standing behind me when I didn't think I was going to play this season," Walker wrote. "Without you all I wouldn't have kept pushing everyday and getting my eligibility overturned. To my UNC teammates, y'all made this past year very special for me. I've made some bonds that will go on for the rest of my life."

Of the five players, only Murphy will participate in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

"We want to thank these young men for all they've contributed to Carolina football during their times with the program," head coach Mack Brown said in a statement released by UNC athletic communications. "It's been a pleasure to watch them grow and flourish both on the field and off. We wish them nothing but the best and look forward to watching them represent UNC as they move on to the next chapters of their careers."

Ahead of the NFL Draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Maye projected as the third overall pick and the second quarterback off the board, only behind USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

@mdmaynard74|@PeaceGwen

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Gray has been the backbone of the Tar Heel defense all season, recording 121 total tackles, five sacks for 48 yards and one interception. The senior has played in 51 games since his true first-year season in 2020.

Gray has also served as a valuable leader for the younger members on the team, in addition to his own contributions on the field.

"I do want to brag on Ced Gray," head coach Mack Brown said in a press appearance after the Tar Heels' loss to Georgia Tech. "It's his birthday today and he's one of the best kids I've ever seen. And one of the best leaders I've ever seen."

The Charlotte native has made a significant impact in his years as a Tar Heel and leaves North Carolina with career totals of 369 total tackles, 30 tackles for 122 yards of loss, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

"To my teammates, I could not have asked for a better group of guys to spend the last four years with. We are forever brothers," Gray wrote in his announcement post. "Thank you to the University of North Carolina, my professors, academic support staff, athletic trainers, and football support staff that has taught, molded and guided me during my time at UNC."

Gray is the second Tar Heel to enter the 2024 NFL draft, joining junior wide receiver Tez Walker. On Thursday, the Reese's Senior Bowl announced via X that Walker had accepted an invitation to its 2024 game. Gray previously accepted his invitation to the senior bowl in November.

Shortly after Gray's announcement, senior defensive lineman Myles Murphy announced on X that he is also declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. In his message, he confirmed that he will be participating in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, writing "[I] look forward to putting on that Carolina jersey one more time in the bowl game."

"To all the Tar Heel fans that supported me along the way, I thank you and I promise I will represent Carolina for years to come," Murphy wrote. "It's been an honor."

In his time at UNC, Murphy recorded 98 total tackles over 51 games.

@gracegnugent

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The UNCfootball team started its season in the Queen City - walking away with a 31-17 win over South Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Classic - and hoped to return to Bank of America Stadium in early December for another shot at an ACCChampionship.

And while the prospect of a repeat conference title appearance drained away during the rocky second half of the season, the Tar Heels will still be traveling to Charlotte - just a few weeks later. After a 6-0 start, UNC (8-4) will end its volatile season against West Virginia (8-4) in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Dec. 27.

After sacking South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler nine times to kick off the year in a statement win, North Carolina's defense appeared poised to dominate after years of being the program's Achilles heel, a juxtaposition to the Tar Heels' traditionally high-powered offense.

"We can definitely build off this," UNCsenior linebacker Cedric Gray said following the season opener. "We're not going backwards."

For the next few weeks, UNC football surged forward. After squeaking out a win against Appalachian State at home in double overtime, the Tar Heels continued to triumph against Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Syracuse. At 5-0, all eyes were on the ACCheavyweight bout between then-No. 12 UNC and then-No. 25 Miami on Oct. 14.

Instead of panicking, North Carolina, led by junior receiver Tez Walker's three-touchdown supernova performance, earned a decisive 41-31 win, putting up 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.

"This is a game that sometimes in our past people would've thought we would've lost," head coach Mack Brownsaid after the win. "Because people were bragging on us and because we were walking around and Miami came in to upset us."

The Tar Heels became one of only a handful of undefeated teams in the country. They were 6-0 for the first time in 26 years, and were 23.5-point favorites against a 1-5 Virginia team. What could go wrong?

The Cavaliers came into Kenan Stadium over UNC's fall break and delivered a 31-27 upset, penning a new chapter in the South's Oldest Rivalry. At the time, Virginia was ranked last in the ACC'sscoring offense and defense.

"Virginia had a plan,"Kaimon Rucker,UNCsenior jack,said postgame. "They stuck to the split outside zone plays and they were very successful off of them. Virginia came to play and we didn't."

From there, déjà vu quickly became a jarring reality as UNC's season continued to spiral. The Tar Heels gave up a combined 52second half points in losses to Georgia Tech, Clemson and N.C. State.

However, unlike the downward tailspin of last year with four consecutive losses to end the season, the Tar Heels found bright spots in their thrashing of Campbell and a double-overtime victory over rival Duke.

"I don't think there is a common thread," Brown toldthe media after the Tar Heels' 39-20 loss to N.C. State. "We keep looking for ways to win more than eight games and we had a chance to win nine again."

Common thread or not, 2023 saw North Carolina start another season with high hopes and end once again in mediocrity, taking the less optimal road to Charlotte. Two years ago, UNC was tabbed as the preseason No. 10 team in the country, only to end at 6-7 with - as fate would have it - a loss to South Carolina in Charlotte at the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

"We also haven't responded very well after positives," Brown said after UNC's win over Minnesota. "We haven't handled success very well."

The Tar Heels will seek to break this pattern in their Dec. 27 match-up.

@gracegnugent

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After much consideration, The Daily Tar Heel sports editors have compiled their picks for the 2023 Athlete of the Year.

Aranza Vazquez

Aranza Vazquez has proven herself as a trailblazer at UNC, underscored by the accolades she's amassed this year, such as the 2023 ACC Women's Diver of the Year and the 2022-23 CSCAA Women's Diver of the Year.

Vazquez etched her name in UNC history as the first diver to clinch a national title after being crowned a champion in both the one-meter and three-meter springboard at the 2023 NCAA Championships. Vazquez also claimed victory in the ACC Championship one-meter, three-meter and platform events, earned a spot on the All-Americafirstteam for the second time and was a finalist for the prestigious Honda Award for Swimming & Diving.

Not only did Vazquez shine athletically, but she earned a place on the ACC All-Academic Team. Furthermore, Vazquez has been open about her mental health journey, battling depression and self-imposed pressure following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After taking a break from diving and receiving support from teammates and coach Yaidel Gamboa, she triumphed at the NCAA Championship.

Vazquez's extraordinary feats, coupled with her perseverance, make her a source of pride for UNC and a worthy candidate for DTH's 2023 Athlete of the Year.

- Shelby Swanson, sports editor

Omarion Hampton

Last year, the spotlight was on 2022 ACC Player of the Year Drake Maye and his star receiving duo of future NFL wideouts Josh Downs and Antoine Green. The trio spearheaded UNC's electric air-raid offense. Meanwhile, North Carolina's running backs took the backseat - Maye led the team in rushing, while then-first-year Omarion Hampton had to split snaps with Elijah Green.

Hampton's rookie season wasn't bad by any means, recording 401 yards and six touchdowns, but the Clayton, N.C., native took a massive leap this year.

Through 12 games in 2023, Hampton ran for 1,442 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while recording 15 rushing touchdowns - both ACCbests - along with 215 receiving yards and one touchdown catch. Standing at 6-foot, 220 pounds, Hampton was one of the nation's most difficult players to tackle, leading the country with 1,023 yards after contact.

Sure, after UNC's red-hot 6-0 start, most fans are disappointed with the football season's 2-4 closing stretch. But without Hampton's consistency oftentimes keeping UNC's offense afloat - Maye's passing options simply weren't as formidable as they were last year, and almost every metric shows - it could've been much worse for the ever-so-volatile Tar Heels.

- Daniel Wei, assistant sports editor

Fiona Crawley

When one thinks of top programs at UNC, there might be a few that come to mind before tennis.In 2023,Fiona Crawley brought tennis into the limelight in North Carolina, leading the UNC women's team to its first NCAA Team Championship in program history and winning the NCAA Doubles Championship alongside partner Carson Tanguilig.

The San Antonio native was coming off an unprecedented 2022 fall season, in which she won the women's All-American and ITA Fall Championship singles titles, and helped lead Team USA to a 10th title in the Master'U BNP Paribas Championship.

Crawley didn't slow down in the spring. She played with extreme consistency on the No. 1 court throughout the entirety of team play, ending the regular season as the top-ranked female tennis player in the nation. On top of that, in the 20 singles matches that she played, Crawley only dropped two, bringing her career singles record to 123-11.

For her efforts during the season, Crawley was awarded with some new hardware to add to her trophy cabinet - clinching 2023 ACC Player of the Year honors and earning the 2023 Honda Award for Tennis.

To cap off her dominant year, Crawley battled her way through the three qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open to earn a bid in the main draw - a testament to her skill and dedication.

- Gwen Peace,assistant sports editor

@shelbymswanson| @danielhwei|@PeaceGwen

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The SEC veteran is likely to take over the starting quarterback position from sophomore Drake Maye, who is an expected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.Johnson still has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining.

Johnson played two seasons for Texas A&Mand started under center in five games for the Aggies in 2023 before his season ended after breaking his ribs. In his eight total appearances, he completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,452 yards and threw for nine touchdowns.

In 2022, Johnson started three of the first four games for the Aggies before breaking a bone in his throwing hand and redshirting the rest of the season.

Prior to his time in Texas, Johnson played two seasons at LSU, where he started all 12 games of the 2021 season and threw for 2,815 yards.

Johnson, who is the son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson, was ranked as the No. 15 pro-style quarterback by 247Sports and the No. 52 overall prospect in Georgia coming out of high school.

UNC athletic communications did not provide a comment on Johnson's commitment by the time of publication.

@PeaceGwen

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In what might have been the senior linebacker's final game of his collegiate career, Gray's unit was once again unable to prove what he had preached during the offseason: that the defense would look more comfortable and confident as they began to fully understand defensive coordinator Gene Chizick's scheme.

But inUNC's 39-20 loss on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium, the defense couldn't get its footing. The Wolfpack scored on their first eight possessions of the game - four touchdowns and four field goals - and UNC's season slipped away in a similar fashion to last year.

In the first half alone, North Carolina gave up 327 yards of total offense and 232 passing yards. Armstrong was able to find receivers - mainly Kevin "KC" Concepcion - to slash open the Tar Heel secondary.

UNChead coachMack Brown said after the game that UNC simply "didn't tackle well."

"Brennan Armstrong did a tremendous job," Mack said. "We didn't put pressure on him and he hit everybody. They were all open and he made some great throws, so gotta give him a lot of credit."

Despite starting the season 6-0 with what looked to be a renewed defense and understanding of the scheme, the Tar Heels have since given up just over450 yards per game, and it was no different against the Wolfpack. North Carolina gave up 504 yards in total, with 334 yards being in the air.

After the game, Brown andGray had no answers. No answers for what happened on defense. No answers to how eerily similar this season ended to last.

Gray said he didn't "know where this came from."

"Ithought this is something we talked about all off-season, throughout the year - never get complacent when we're high,"Gray said. "And then, after week six, things started kind of trending down hill for us."

N.C. State entered Saturday with one of the worst scoring offenses in the ACC and ranked 76th in the nation in that same category. However, UNC had no answer for Concepcion, who tallied seven receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 55 rushing yards.

The Wolfpack targeted Concepcion out of the wildcat formation, letting him find the open holes in the North Carolina defense.

Despite his success, Gray said they weren't caught off guard by Concepcion.

"Coming into this game, we knew he was a great player,"Gray said. "We knew he was fast, quick, we knew that they were gonna try to find creative ways to get him the ball. Unfortunately we just, you know, wasn't able to slow him down tonight."

Along with Concepcion's vision and speed, the Tar Heels hurt themselves with multiple missed tackles,manydue to the slick surface. North Carolina had a multitude of miscues - on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball - as a result of players slipping.

"The grass looked great," sophomore quarterback Drake Maye said. "A lot better than Clemson's, but, yeah, just slipping issues. I think one of the first times I took off I almost slipped and fell."

With UNC's goals slipping away from them throughout the season, they will look to earn the program's second nine-win season in a row since Brown's first stint with the Tar Heels.

However, despite that opportunity, both Maye and Gray share the same sentiment surrounding the end to this season: embarrassment.

"I definitely feel a little embarrassed," Gray said. "These are two games that, you know, coming into them we thought we could win, you know, find a way to win. Obviously that didn't happen. Definitely very frustrating, but just gotta take it in."

@mdmaynard74

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