This is the first installment of The Daily Tar Heel's "Tracking the Tar Heels" blog, where we will provide updates on UNC alumni in the pros.
This week, we'll be focusing on the first three weeks of the NFL season, in which a number of Tar Heels have made contributions. Here’s a round-up:
For some fans, the success of UNC’s football team last year with Mitchell Trubisky under center probably seems like a long time ago. Trubisky himself has yet to make much of an impact since going No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft to the Chicago Bears.
The starting job in Chicago still belongs to Mike Glennon, who has led the team to a 1-2 start with three touchdowns and three interceptions. A poor showing by Glennon on Thursday night against the Packers could spell the end for the former N.C. State quarterback reign and elevate Trubisky to the starting role.
Rookie receivers Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer have also had limited chances to shine since being drafted by Philadelphia and Dallas, respectively. Hollins did have three catches for 32 yards in week two against Kansas City. Switzer, one of Trubisky’s favorite targets last season in Chapel Hill, has been used mainly as a kick returner by the Cowboys. He’s been unspectacular so far racking up 62 yards on six punt returns and 60 yards on three kickoff returns.
Bug Howard, another one of UNC’s leading receivers last year, was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad on Tuesday. The 6-foot-4 wide-out famously caught the game-winning pass in the final seconds of the Tar Heels’ thrilling duel with Pitt in Chapel Hill last season, and he will be hoping to make the step up to the official roster sooner rather than later.
Fellow rookie Nazair Jones on the other hand has certainly made an early contribution for his team. The Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle intercepted six-time Pro Bowler Aaron Rodgers in week one and would've had a touchdown on the play if not for a penalty on a teammate. He also popped up with a tackle in week three against Tennessee.
T.J. Logan did make the Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster at the start of the season but hasn’t seen the field so far. He's dealing with a wrist injury that is supposed to keep him out for 12 weeks.
Moving onto some older players, Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard has put together a solid start to the season. He reached the end zone for the first time this year on Sunday against the Packers with a 6-yard touchdown reception from Andy Dalton. Bernard also totaled 79 yards in week one against the Ravens, despite his team getting shut out, 20-0.
