2022 UNC Football Preview: Running back
This season UNC fans are in for a special treat when it comes to the running back position. After a dreadful 6-7 season, one of the highlights came from running the ball with transfer Ty Chandler carrying the work load, leading him to get drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings.
Now with another running back sent to the NFL, UNC finds themselves needing another lead back for the second year in a row
Senior British Brooks and junior D.J. Jones are set to be the two feature backs competing to carry the rock like Javonte Williams once did. UNC, often a run heavy team, could take on that same identity as they prepare to move past the Sam Howell era.
It’s no secret that head coach Mack Brown loves to use multiple backs with a conservative style drive down the field. This will open the door for fresh legs with each running back on the roster possessing a useful skill.
As the regular season approaches, we decided to continue our position preview with the running back position and look at, not only Brooks and Jones, but the depth behind them.
2021 Review
Oct 9, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; DUPLICATE***North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Ethan West (19)***North Carolina Tar Heels running back Ty Chandler (19) runs with the ball during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Going into the 2021 season, UNC fans knew that the running back position was under renovation with Javonte Williams and Michael Carter getting drafted to the NFL. Still, the Tar Heels had high expectations going into the season ranked 10th due to their usual offensive explosion.
That explosion was more of a just a bomb threat with UNC’s offense struggling early and often throughout the season. No one expected the running back committee to produce like the season prior, but with lackluster blocking and quick three and outs, what felt like a promising season on the horizon ended in disappointment.
Ty Chandler, the transfer out of Tennessee, was a bright spot in the darkness that followed UNC. In 13 games, Chandler eclipsed over 1,000 yards, adding 13 rushing and one receiving touchdown. The transfer did his job finishing third in the Atlantic Coastal Conference for rushing yards and touchdowns.
British Brooks
Nov 26, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back British Brooks (24) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Senior British Brooks enters this season as the potential lead back this season with all eyes on him. Last season, Brooks appeared in six games, rushing for 295 yards on just 31 carries for an average of 9.5 yards. The North Carolina native tacked on four touchdowns, serving as a wrecking ball through the opposing defenses.
Career stats: 65 carries, 461 yards, 7.1 average, 5 touchdown
D.J. Jones
Nov 6, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back D.J. Jones (26) runs in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
D.J. Jones runs into his junior season playing a potential Michael Carter-type role this upcoming season. Jones appeared in nine games last season, carrying the ball 60 times for 253 rushing yards. The junior also tacked on 55 receiving yards off 12 catches. Jones failed to see the end-zone this past season, but doubt that holds up this year.
Career stats: 71 carries, 318 yards, 4.5 average, 1 touchdown
Elijah Green
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 20: Micheal Mason #99 of the Wofford Terriers tackles Elijah Green #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 34-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Green is the dark horse to get carries this upcoming season for UNC. The three-star running back showed glimpses of speed burst through holes and could demand carries for that sole reason. Last season Green appeared in just four games, carrying the ball 11 times for 39 rushing yards.
Career stats: 21 carries, 94 yards, 4.5 average, 0 touchdowns
Depth Chart
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Jan 2, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back British Brooks (34) runs the ball against Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr. (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Projected starter: British Brooks
Backup: D.J. Jones/Elijah Green
Depth: Caleb Hood, George Pettaway
Biggest Question
Nov 7, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels assistant coach Larry Porter reacts in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
UNC is known for their run first throw deep later attack, but will that change ?
The pressure is on for UNC to compete and not melt down like last season, and setting that tempo can be led by the running back committee. There’s no question the talent that exists for this position, however, splitting the work load properly could come into play with many wondering why Brooks didn’t snag more carries early on last season.
Inconsistent play can’t come from the running backs this year if UNC wants a shot at a college football berth, or even an ACC title game. Barely sneaking into a bowl game last season forces UNC to adapt a new identity and that could hinder the amount of carries given.
The last pending question is how much we will see of four-star recruit George Pettaway this season, The incoming freshman ranks as the 107th best player in the nation, 8th best running back and no. 4 ranked player in Virginia. Seeing what the high school phenom can bring on the college level can be a difference maker in who gets what carries later down the season.
Position Pipeline
Sep 30, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
While the focus is on this season, UNC does need to keep some prospects in the pipeline at running back. As Brooks is on his final year of eligibility and the unknown of Jones, Green, and Pettaway’s futures, UNC could be looking at a situation in 2024 or 2025 where they need a replacement. Let’s look at the pipeline below:
British Brooks (c/o 2018)
