Myles Murphy on not being doubled: It's an insult this season if they don't

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Myles Murphy has a warning for the rest of the ACC and all of the Tar Heels opponents in 2022. Simply put, if Murphy sees a one-on-one match-up this season, toss the ball back to the ref and jump to the next down because that play is over with.

“If I get a one-on-one, it’s over. That’s how I’m thinking,” said Murphy. “If I get a one-on-one, I should disrupt a whole lot of plays. We do it during practice. I get doubled a lot in practice; so I’m used to it now. I know how to split them now. I’m working on the double teams; that’s the only thing I’m really focusing on right now.

Many are expecting big things for Murphy this year, including himself. And it’s easy to see why looking at his 2021 production. Last year, Murphy started all 13 games for North Carolina and reeled in second-team All-ACC honors after racking up 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and three pass breakups. His four sacks were tied for second-most for the Tar Heels and tops among the defensive line.

Murphy appears also confident with his ability to take on double teams as he explained his technique for getting by them.

“For a double team, this is how I do it. I try to take out one man while the other man is trying to get me. So overpower him while trying to move him (the other guy) out of my way.

According to the On3 Consensus Rankings, the gifted defensive lineman was rated as the No. 151 player in the nation for the 2020 cycle coming out of Dudley High School (Greensboro, North Carolina). It’s the same school that produced former N.C. State great DeMario Pressley.

North Carolina’s Josh Downs embraces underdog mentality, makes bold claim about ACC

The North Carolina Tar Heels star receiver Josh Downs has taken notice of all the naysayers on his team’s expectations for the upcoming season. And during a recent press conference, the speedy wideout addressed the underdog mentality and how the team is embracing that mentality.

“We had a lot of hype on our name last year. This year we’re kind of under the radar right now; people are counting us out,” said Downs. “So I feel like we got a chip on our shoulder. We got a new DC that came in and a few transfers, so I feel like we’re a group that’s pretty slept on. Everybody’s thing is Sam (Howell) left, so they don’t have nothing else; we’re gonna shock the nation.

While the team didn’t do so hot, the same could not be said of Downs. In his sophomore season, the 5-foot-10 junior receiver set a few new records for the Tar Heels. Downs would finish the year with 101 catches for 1335 yards, an average of 13.2 yards per catch, and eight touchdowns.