North Carolina’s season opener in Dublin against TCU brings a fresh start, and a few young Tar Heels may be ready to make that reset matter faster than expected.
With second-year head coach Bill Belichick trying to steer the program in a better direction, UNC has put real investment into both sides of the ball. The hope is a more complete team and, at minimum, six wins. But the biggest boost could come from a handful of younger players who are positioned to rise well before anyone outside the building thought they would.
One of the most intriguing names is defensive back Weatherspoon. He’s already turned heads this offseason, and it’s easy to see why.
His size, athleticism, range, and ball skills give him the kind of profile that pops the moment he gets on the field. There’s a real chance he starts games later in the season, and by year’s end he could be one of the Tar Heels’ best players.
If he sticks around Chapel Hill, the ceiling is obvious; if not, other major Power Four programs may come calling.
On offense, June looks ready for a bigger load after flashing as a true freshman. He posted 600-plus yards from scrimmage last season and was one of the few bright spots for an offense that finished 126th in scoring.
Now he steps in as the lead tailback, and that matters even more with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino expected to lean into a run-heavy approach. If the quarterback situation goes sideways, June could end up carrying even more of the offense.
He’s already shown in spring and fall camp that he can handle a workhorse role.
Then there’s Warren, the 6-foot-8 tight end who arrived after being Colorado State’s leading receiver through two games before an injury cut his year short. In Chapel Hill, he gets a clean slate and a chance to become a major piece of the passing game.
The redshirt sophomore has the kind of toolkit that suggests more than just a solid contributor; he has the look of a player who could become a real star. And based on what he’s shown heading into the regular season, big plays from the start would not be a surprise.
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Bill Belichick Already Faces Early Pressure In UNC's Dublin Opener
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Now the second season begins in Dublin, Ireland, a setting that adds another layer of scrutiny to a team already carrying pressure into the opener. North Carolina is trying to change the conversation right away, but the history of teams who have traveled there has not been encouraging, with several returning home to rough follow-up seasons. For Belichick and the Tar Heels, the first step of Year 2 already feels like more than just a season opener. [Read more 🡒]