While the North Carolina football team’s offense thrived the past two years as a high-scoring, high-powered unit, defense was a different story.
UNC ranked 94th nationally in total defense during the 2023 campaign. Even though the Tar Heels put together a 6-0 start, they dropped five of the last seven games, allowing 35.4 points per game in those five losses. Furthermore, North Carolina ranked 90th in rushing defense, giving up just over 163 yards on the ground per game.
North Carolina announced in January that Geoff Collins — the “Minister of Mayhem” — will replace Gene Chizik as defensive coordinator. Collins enters UNC’s program with a wealth of knowledge and 27 years of coaching experience under his belt, including four years as head coach at Georgia Tech.
With a handful of returnees and transfers at his disposal, Collins is looking to reverse North Carolina’s defensive struggles. And, in the absence of star linebacker Cedric Gray, the Tar Heels will turn to experienced veterans at linebacker and on the defensive line to step up in his place.
Here’s a look at some linebackers and defensive linemen who are expected to make an impact this season:
Power Echols
Senior linebacker Power Echols returns to UNC's squad as one of its most valuable defensive pieces. Echols earned Third-Team All-ACC honors during his junior season after posting 102 tackles, ranking him seventh in the ACC. The 6-foot, 225 pound linebacker also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss during last season's campaign.
Echols has big shoes to fill in the absence of Gray, who was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. Gray led UNC in tackles for the past three seasons — with Echols trailing right behind him in the last two years.
Along with graduate rush linebacker Kaimon Rucker, Echols was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List, awarded to the best defensive player of the year.
