UNC depth chart breakdown - WR/TE: Walston trying to make TE unforgettable
North Carolina’s receivers excelled to the point last season where it appeared quarterback Sam Howell forgot about the tight ends. The position combined to haul in just 18 passes. Senior Garrett Walston’s improvements could change that to the point where it’ll no longer seem like an afterthought.
The 6-foot-4, Wilmington native led all tight ends with nine catches last season, but he’ll have a chance to be more involved in the offense this season.
“Garrett is what you would hope — he’s a year better at his position,” offensive coordinator Phil Longo said during a video call with reporters. “We feel more confident with him in the box. He’s moving better this year even than he did last year. He might be the the best hands or close to the top guys with regards to having the best hands on the team.”
It’s not just hands that has coaches raving over Walston. It’s what he’s also shown in practice during his blocking on running plays. Walston used his experience from last season to transform into more of a complete player and that should be on full display when the Tar Heels face Syracuse Saturday in the season opener.
“We’ve utilitzed him more,” Longo said. “His role is more diverse for us this year because what he can do for us is more diverse. He’s had a great camp, we’re excited about him.”
Who is expected to start?
The starting trio will look a lot like they did for most games last season: Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome and Beau Corrales. Brown and Newsome ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, in the ACC in average yards per game. The biggest difference from a year ago heading into the first game is they were pushed in practice a lot more by the defense. “We’ve got great competition from those defensive backs,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said in a video call. “It’s really good for us and we’re being challenged at a very high level offensively, so they (receivers) are going to be really good.”
Who are the key reserves?
Redshirt freshman Kamari Morales will be the first substitute for Walston at tight end. Junior Antoine Green was a walking big play last season, although he had just eight catches, he averaged 27 yards per catch and had two touchdowns. Senior Rontavius “Toe” Groves was fourth on the team with 27 receptions last season. Sophomore Emery Simmons will also provide an experienced backup.
Who might surprise us?
Mack Brown quipped after the Heels first scrimmage that freshman Josh Downs was, “going to play a lot.” Longo said the learning curve for Downs right now was more physical than mental. The 5-foot-10, Suwanee, Ga., native is adjusting to the tempo, like running consecutive deep routes without coming out of the game. “He’s come in a little more polished than a typical freshman,” Longo said. “He’s a little bit sharper with routes. From an athletic standpoint, he’s a great change of direction slot receiver. He’s got great vertical speed. He catches the ball really well.”
What are the group’s strengths?
They can really do it all. Deep threats. Possession guys. Speed. And depth. Plenty of depth. Longo said if they have to go with the third slot, the coaches feel confident in doing so. He added that sometimes the backup at 100 percent is better than the starter at 80 percent. “The depth at wide receiver is probably what excites us most at that position,” Longo said. “...it lends to helping our tempo. It lends to helping us cover a lot of ground and chase space like we do and it’s going to be a little bit easier to keep our guys fresh this year.”
What are the group’s weaknesses?
As great as their numbers have been collectively, with two 1,000-yard receivers, UNC receivers dropped a combined 30 passes during the 2019 season. Drops were a problem during the 2018 season too, which prompted Mack Brown to make improving in that area a priority early into his first spring practices after being hired. Brown joked that maybe his players watched his video conferences with the media last month, because since he began calling players out for drops, it hasn’t been much of a problem. The Heels hope that’s the case on Saturday.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 8:00 AM with the headline "UNC depth chart breakdown - WR/TE: Walston trying to make TE unforgettable."