Tar Heels hoping big offseason pays off for 5-star Travis Shaw
Travis Shaw is one of the biggest recruits to put on a Carolina uniform, especially in recent years.
Shaw, entering his sophomore season in Chapel Hill, was a former 5-star prospect, 2021 4A state champion at Grimsley High School and the Class of 2022’s 5th-best recruit in the nation. He played 13 games in a reserve role for UNC last year, recording 18 tackles, a half tackle-for-loss and two pass breakups.
With Ray Vohasek trying to make it in the NFL, Shaw will be expected to contribute extra and, possibly, step into a starting role on the defensive line.
He’s off to a good start this offseason, slimming down in hopes of giving himself more mobility.
I thought Travis Shaw looked slimmer, and Mack just confirmed it. Shaw is down from 375 to 340.
— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) August 2, 2023
Shaw may have to wait his turn as a starter – he’s the third-string defensive tackle, according to UNC’s depth chart on Ourlads.com, behind Kevin Hester Jr. and Tomari Fox. There’s a possiblity, though, that defensive coordinator Gene Chizik uses a rotation throughout his defensive line.
Shaw could play anywhere on the line. His frame is large enough where he could be a force in the middle, though his weight drop could give him the extra speed boost to be effective as a defensive end.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
