Analysis: UNC special teams look to improve efficiency for 2024 season

After a disappointing 2023 season where the Tar Heels struggled to meet expectations, many eyes will fall on UNC's special teams for signs of improvement. 

Last year, North Carolina ranked 13th in the ACC in kickoffs and last in punting.

Back in March, former Mississippi State’s special teams coordinator Eric Mele was hired as a special teams analyst to work alongside special teams coordinator Larry Porter, who has been with UNC's staff since 2021. With the updated coaching staff, the squad is looking to reach new heights during the 2024 season. 

According to the coach, for the special teams unit to be successful, everyone must do their job and remain consistent. To continue creating this consistency, North Carolina will turn to a familiar core to lead the special teams. 

Kicking

Graduate starting place-kicker Noah Burnette is set to return this year for his fourth season with the Tar Heels. As the ACC’s leading kicker from the 2023 season, he completed on 19 of 20 kick attempts with his longest being 48 yards.

Behind Burnette is sophomore place-kicker Liam Boyd, who appeared in 10 games last season. Boyd kicked off 66 times with 49 touchbacks. 

First-year Lucas Osada will also provide new energy to the special teams group. Coming out of the class of 2024, the dual kicker and punter ranked sixth best in the nation. With this versatility and talent, Osada will provide much-needed depth to the special teams room. 

Punting

After ranking 124th among FBS schools last fall, punting will be one of the main focuses heading into 2024. 

Injuries forced UNC to go farther into the depth chart than anticipated after Ben Kiernan, the starting punter from the 2023 season, suffered a season-ending injury. He only played four games in his final season at UNC. 

Following this injury, Tom Maginness immediately filled in, and during his eight appearances, he completed 33 punts for 1,313 yards. Maginness brought both conventional and rugby punting styles to the team, but he struggled with consistency throughout the season. 

When asked about Maginness following the Tar Heels preseason scrimmage, Porter noted his experience, strong leg and ability to put North Carolina in a position to be successful this fall. 

Kickoff return

The Tar Heels are currently not getting enough from their kickoff return, which finished the season ranked No. 94 among FBS schools.   North Carolina also ranked 127 out of 130 FBS teams in kickoff return coverage.

To achieve better rankings this season, there are many young receivers who North Carolina will likely use this fall. 

Among them is sophomore wide receiver Chris Culliver. During his first season with the Tar Heels last year, he recorded five kick returns for 105 yards against West Virginia in December.

Punt return

Last season, the Tar Heels ranked No. 13 in punt returns led by the efforts of graduate defensive back Alijah Huzzie. 

Coming back from injury, Huzzie will most likely handle punt returning duties. Last season, the graduate averaged 16 net yards per punt return. Against Pitt in late September, Huzzie took a Panthers' punt 52 yards to the end zone. 

With Huzzie leading the efforts once again, punt return coverage is also expected to improve after ranking No. 102 of the 130 FBS teams last season. 

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