The North Carolina football team has had a lackluster last two years, but with the introduction of the Air Raid system from new head coach Mack Brown, talented wide receivers have the chance to become dominating playmakers.
In order for the system to work and the wide receivers to shine, there needs to be stability from the quarterback position alongside accurate throws. For now, first-year Sam Howell is the lead contender in the competition.
Despite losing Anthony Ratliff-Williams to the NFL, there is still depth in the wide receiver corps, starting with Dazz Newsome. The junior is known for his speed, showing his potential over the course of the last two seasons. In 2018, he tallied 44 receptions for 506 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore.
Junior Beau Corrales has the chance to be a breakout star this season. In 2018, he posted 18 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He appeared in eight games and started in five as a sophomore, and as a true first-year, he appeared in nine games, recording nine catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
The Brown brothers are two other key receivers to keep an eye on this season. Dyami, a sophomore, is another player with good speed. He posted 17 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown during his first season with the Tar Heels. He played 10 games in 2018, starting for six of them.
His younger brother Khafre shouldn’t get overlooked as an incoming first-year. The four-star recruit from West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte was ranked No. 7 in the state, No. 28 overall wide receiver by ESPN and No. 214 overall in his class.
During his three seasons in high school, Khafre tallied 103 receptions for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns. He led West Mecklenburg to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history as a senior.
As long as the quarterback position remains stable this season, there’s plenty of talent across the wide receiver position with nine players likely to see action. Newsome, Corrales and Dyami have the potential to lead the wide receivers in 2019 while Khafre, sophomore Antoine Green and first-year Emery Simmons will likely serve as backups.
Of course, any receiver's success is highly dependent on the person throwing the ball. But with a new system, new coach and new quarterback in place, the Tar Heel wide receiver corps will be worth a watch in the 2019 season.
