North Carolina roster severely depleted ahead of Holiday Bowl vs. Oregon
The Holiday Bowl is billed as “San Diego’s Biggest Holiday Party,” but with all of the transfers/opt-outs on North Carolina’s defense, plus the Oregon Ducks’ persistent struggles on defense this season, it should be “First to 50 Wins.”
Both Oregon and North Carolina have had more than quite a few players announce they would be transferring out of the schools in the weeks leading up to the two teams’ first meeting on the football field.
In the Tar Heels’ case, a large part of their defensive 2-deep won’t be available, including a lot of the secondary. One would think a healthy Bo Nix and the Ducks’ receivers should have their way with the remaining players in UNC’s secondary.
Oregon has its share of players transferring out, but many are role players and those who didn’t see the field much. The Ducks will be without CB Christian Gonzalez, who declared for the NFL Draft, as did DE D.J. Johnson, who led the team with six sacks this season.
Unless the UNC coaching staff can pull a rabbit out of their hat, it should be a long day for the Tar Heels secondary on December 28. One thing going for both teams, however, is that starting quarterback Drake Maye and Nix will be on the field. With both defenses missing key personnel, the Holiday Bowl should be a wild one that will keep the scoreboard operator busy.
Here is the complete list of Tar Heel transfers who won’t play in the Holiday Bowl.
WR Josh Downs (NFL Draft)
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2022 Stats: 11 Games | 94 catches, 1,029 yards, 11 TD
DB Tony Grimes
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 12 games, 36 tackles, 7 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
QB Jacolby Criswell
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 4 games, 2-of-6 passing, 9 yards
LB Raneiria Dillworth
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 10 games, 13 tackles, 1.5 tackle for loss, 1 sack
S Dontavious Nash
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 5 games, 2 tackles
DL Jahlil Taylor
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 3 games, no stats (injured)
DB Cam'Ron Kelly
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 12 games, 49 tackles, 1 INT
DB Tymir Brown
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2022: No stats
TE Kendall Karr
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 10 games, no stats
DE Chris Collins
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 13 games, 20 tackles
DB Dontae Balfour
AP Photo/Chris Seward
2022: 4 games, 6 tackles
DB Storm Duck
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 12 games, 36 tackles, 3 INT
DL Keeshawn Silver
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2022: 3 games, 3 tackles
