While many transfers arrived in Chapel Hill this offseason via the portal, a lot also departed for other opportunities. For the purpose of this article we’ll focus on the most notable of those departures.
I’m sure everyone will be tuning in for Chapel Bill’s debut and the first-ever Labor Day challenge for the Tar Heels, but for the rest of opening weekend here’s a look at who to watch and how to see them in Week 1.
QB Conner Harrell – Charlotte
The former Tar Heel QB started several games last season after Max Johnson’s gruesome
injury of the first game. He was recently named the starter at Charlotte which UNC will face in Week 2. Harrell is a dual threat quarterback who definitely has wheels but the question has always been about his accuracy.
Charlotte vs. App State, 7:00p ESPNU
QB Jacolby Criswell – East Tennessee State
Criswell took over the starting job from Harrell during the season last year. He threw for 475 yards against James Madison but let us speak no more of that game. The ultimate journeyman, Jacolby started his career at UNC before transferring to Arkansas for a season then back to Chapel Hill. Now he’ll head to Johnson City to join the Buccaneers.
ETSU vs. Murray State, 5:30p ESPN+
WR Gavin Blackwell – Florida State
One of Sam Howell’s favorite targets at Sun Valley High School in Indian Trail, NC, Blackwell never quite got his footing at Carolina. He had some flash plays but didn’t see the field enough to make an impact. With Aziah Johnson transferring in as the new slot receiver starter, Gavin likely saw the writing on the wall. He’s moving on to Florida State, the school that, coincidentally or not, Sam Howell flipped from to come to Carolina.
Florida State vs. #8 Alabama, 3:30p ABC
DL Beau Atkinson – Ohio State
This one has the potential to hurt the most. It was painful news for me anyway after he showed outstanding potential on the defensive line in limited time last season with multiple sacks and TFL’s. Alas, Beau has decided to take his talents to Columbus. Congratulations, Buckeyes, you may have found your Jack Sawyer replacement.
#3 Ohio State vs. #1 Texas, 12:00p FOX
DL Travis Shaw – Texas
Ranked as the 5th best player in the nation coming out of high school, Shaw never quite lived up to the hype at UNC. Maybe it was teams’ game-planning for him. Maybe it was the lack of help on the defensive line. Or maybe it was just a bad fit. Here’s wishing him success with the Longhorns.
#1Texas @ #3 Ohio State, 12:00p FOX
LB Amare Campbell – Penn State
Amare stepped in admirably last season for the NFL-bound Cedric Gray (who you can now see on Sundays with the Tennessee Titans). In his first regular season career start against Minnesota he had a forced fumble and a career-high eight tackles multiple games. With sacks, tackles for loss, and pass breakups, he was one of the few stat-stuffers on the defensive side of the ball in just his sophomore year. While I hate to see him go I can’t think of a better landing spot than Linebacker U.
#2 Penn State vs. Nevada, 3:30p CBS/Paramount+
LB Caleb LaVallee – Florida State
Another player who came on strong when given some reps down the stretch LaVallee was only a depth piece in his true freshman and redshirt freshman seasons but he showed a lot of positive signs. He now joins Gavin Blackwell in Tallahassee to become a Seminole (and no, if you’re about to check your schedule, the Tar Heels do not play Florida State this season).
Florida State vs. #8 Alabama, 3:30p ABC
