The North Carolina secondary suddenly has a different look after Saturday’s win over a ranked opponent, and not in a way Bill Belichick wanted.
UNC came out of the weekend with its first victory against a ranked team since 2023, but the Tar Heels paid for it with two key injuries in the defensive backfield. Kaleb Cost went down with a lower-body injury and was listed as “doubtful” on the initial injury report against Duke, while Tre Miller suffered a significant lower-body injury and is doubtful to return this season.
That leaves North Carolina searching for answers, and four defensive backs now have a chance to matter in a bigger way.
The first name is Thaddeus Dixon Dopson, the true freshman corner the Tar Heels are likely to lean on moving forward. There’s reason for caution there.
Dopson had trouble in coverage and was a step slow too often, and that’s not a great place to be heading into next week against the Blue Devils. Still, with Miller out, UNC needs him to grow up fast and start looking more like the blue-chip recruit he was coming out of high school.
Willie is probably the cleanest answer if Cost can’t go. The versatile defender has played both safety and cornerback at Michigan State, and he held up well at nickel last week against Pitt.
He tackled cleanly, stayed disciplined in zone coverage, and showed why he was one of the Tar Heels’ biggest transfers this offseason. His role could become especially important against Duke slot receiver Jonah Burton.
At outside corner, Thompson looks set for a bigger workload. When Miller exited, Thompson logged 21 snaps there, according to Pro Football Focus.
He was thrown at once, held his ground, and added a stop in the run game. He’s expected to start on Saturday, and while Thompson and Dopson may both rotate outside, Thompson’s play should keep him on the field as much as possible.
Bryson is another piece UNC may need to mix in. His primary job is backing up Greg Smith, but he also has experience as a big nickel when Belichick turns to penny packages with extra defensive backs. That makes him a logical option to get involved against Duke, especially when the Blue Devils line up in 12 and 13 personnel and try to run the ball.
In Other News...
Tar Heels Face Their Biggest ACC Test Yet At Pitt
North Carolinas mens soccer team heads into one of its stiffest conference measuring sticks of the season Thursday night, when it visits No. 7 Pitt at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Tar Heels have owned the series historically, holding an 8-3-1 edge and carrying a four-game winning streak against the Panthers, but this matchup comes with a different feel given Pitts current form and ranking.
UNC will lean on Joschi Schelb, who leads the ACC in goals and points, and on Ryan Zellefrow, whose recent play has given the offense another reliable spark. Pitt arrives unbeaten in its last six matches, so this is the kind of road test that can say plenty about where the Tar Heels stand in the league race, even before the final whistle tells the full story. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Enters Early Battle For A Guard Fans Need To Know
JJ Crawford is already the kind of name college basketball fans are going to hear often, even though he is still only a high school sophomore. The son of former NBA guard Jamal Crawford is ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2029 and has picked up 25 college offers, including one from North Carolina, a sign that the Tar Heels are trying to get in early on a guard with obvious pedigree and a game that has drawn plenty of attention.
There is also some buzz around whether Crawford could reclassify into the Class of 2028, which would only speed up the pace of his recruitment and make the race for his commitment even more interesting. UNC coach Michael Malone has made no secret of wanting to chase elite talent like Crawford, and for a program that lives on landing nationally relevant guards, this is the kind of early battle worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Fans Can Finally Start Planning A Rare Illinois Trip
North Carolina fans who have been waiting for a fresh road destination can finally circle Nashville on the calendar. Tickets for the Nashville Hoops Showdown matchup between the Tar Heels and Illinois go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m., and there are also travel packages that bundle game tickets with hospitality and hotel accommodations for those looking to make a weekend of it.
It is a notable trip for UNC beyond the matchup itself, because it will be the Tar Heels first appearance in Nashville since 1987. The meeting also adds another chapter to a series that has only reached nine games between North Carolina and Illinois, giving this one a little extra appeal for fans who do not get many chances to see the programs square off in person. [Read more 🡒]