Mack Brown lists North Carolina players that will see increased playing time in 2023

One of the most exciting facets of a new football season is watching new, unexpected players emerge as difference-makers. But North Carolina head coach Mack Brown gave the people an inside scoop on who those players may be for the Tar Heels this upcoming season, starting with the defensive side of the ball.

“Beau Atkinson and Jacolbe Cowan are doing really well at the power end, so both of them should play Saturday night, I’m proud of them. Amare Campbell‘s done really really well as a freshman linebacker, and he was here this spring, but he will play on Saturday night,” Brown said.

Some new faces in the front seven could bode well for the Tar Heels, and will be complimented by some new players in the defensive backfield that have displayed talent and unselfishness this offseason according to Brown.

“D.J. Jones, one of the most unselfish moves I’ve ever seen at time where we talk about transfer portal, here’s a young guy that comes in says coach I want to play,” Brown said. “So if I can play more at safety than running back, I want to move. I said what, do you want to transfer? He said no, I’ll be on special teams, I want to do whatever I can do to help this team win. So he’ll get to play Saturday night.

“Tayon Holloway‘s done a really good job at corner. He’s a young guy that came in with two shoulder operations and didn’t play last year. He’s got length, he can run, he’s a really good cover guy, he’s got good skills, so we’re excited about watching him.”

Brown also brought in an impressive transfer portal class this offseason, and highlighted some key new additions that could have an impact on the Tar Heels’ Week 1 matchup against South Carolina.

“Four quick transfers, I may forget somebody if I do you can bring it back up, but Amari Gainer is doing a good job at the outside linebacker position. He played inside linebacker at Florida State, he’s come in here and changed positions because he thought it was best for him as a graduate to help him with his future with the NFL. So he will be playing along with Kaimon Rucker at the Jack outside linebacker position,” Brown said. “Alijah Huzzie, he’s intercepted three or four balls this preseason, which we haven’t been able to do lately. He had 12 last year I think at East Tennessee State, was an All-American, but he’s got really really good ball skills and I like his game. So he’s gonna be fun to watch Saturday night.

“Derrick Allen‘s done a really good job for us, he’s improved in his tackling and he’ll be a lot on special teams, but he’ll play some at safety. And Stick Lane, the young guy that played so well against us at Georgia State and forced two fumbles will also be playing on Saturday night.”

Switching to the offense, Brown named some offensive lineman both young and new that will be pivotal in creating rush lanes and protecting star quarterback Drake Maye this season.

“Offensively Diego Pounds has improved a lot, he and Trevyon Green. Trevyon’s fighting a couple injuries but he will be back and ready for the game. It’s gotten him behind a little bit but Diego will play and he’ll rotate some with Will Barnes and Spencer Rolland,” Brown said.

“Willie Lampkin will start in the offensive line, he can play center or guard, really either guard. He had dislocated fingers in the spring and still practiced and never came out. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s driven, and we’re excited about him.”

Brown also listed quarterback Conner Harrell as an improved player, but the amount of playing time he’ll see will probably be limited as he sits behind Maye. But as far as Maye’s pass catchers go, it sounds like he’ll have plenty of options.

“Conner Harrell has had a great preseason, we’re really excited about seeing where he is and where he’s going. So he has really stepped up,” Brown said. “And at receiver we’ve got a lot of young guys that are stepping up: Andre Greene, Christian Hamilton, Chris Culliver, and Doc Chapman have all had really good preseasons. Some of them still learning what to do, but they’ve all done pretty well.”

There are also high expectations for transfer wideouts Nate McCollum and Devontez Walker, but Walker’s eligibility is still uncertain even with kickoff just a few days away.

The new-look Tar Heels kick things off this Saturday in Charlotte when they take on South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET in a marquee matchup airing on ESPN.