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With college football season right around the corner, Tar Heel Nation wonders if this year will bring any improvement from an abysmal 2025.
UNC carried the most hype of any program into its 2025 campaign, thanks to the hiring of 8-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as head coach. North Carolina struggled largely throughout the 4-8 campaign, prompting people to wonder if Belichick was even the answer.
One bright spot for the Tar Heels: running back Demon June. Despite spotty usage throughout his freshman season, June finished with a team-best 464 rushing yards.
Not only will 2026 bring a fresh start for UNC, but it's also the year June breaks out to become one of the game's top backs.
June started far down on North Carolina's 2025 depth chart, which Davion Gause and Benjamin Hall anchored. Caleb Hood even got a few touches.
During the Tar Heels' 41-6 domination of Richmond, June exploded for 148 rushing yards and his first collegiate touchdown. Five weeks later, during UNC's 27-10 win at Syracuse on Halloween, June reached the 100-yard plateau and scored again.
June only carried the football 18 times between wins over the Spiders and Orange, a shocking sign considering his emergence in Weeks 2 and 3. June's usage dipped again after the Syracuse game, with only 20 carries and 48 rushing yards.
Belichick now has a full offseason under his belt. He knows that June is his guy, first-hand witnessing how well North Carolina played with its now-sophomore star on the field.
June is also a solid receiving back, catching 17 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in 2025. With a full offseason in college under his belt, too, June will be a name to watch this fall.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Projected UNC football starter poised for a big 2026 season
Continue reading...
UNC carried the most hype of any program into its 2025 campaign, thanks to the hiring of 8-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as head coach. North Carolina struggled largely throughout the 4-8 campaign, prompting people to wonder if Belichick was even the answer.
One bright spot for the Tar Heels: running back Demon June. Despite spotty usage throughout his freshman season, June finished with a team-best 464 rushing yards.
Not only will 2026 bring a fresh start for UNC, but it's also the year June breaks out to become one of the game's top backs.
June started far down on North Carolina's 2025 depth chart, which Davion Gause and Benjamin Hall anchored. Caleb Hood even got a few touches.
During the Tar Heels' 41-6 domination of Richmond, June exploded for 148 rushing yards and his first collegiate touchdown. Five weeks later, during UNC's 27-10 win at Syracuse on Halloween, June reached the 100-yard plateau and scored again.
June only carried the football 18 times between wins over the Spiders and Orange, a shocking sign considering his emergence in Weeks 2 and 3. June's usage dipped again after the Syracuse game, with only 20 carries and 48 rushing yards.
Belichick now has a full offseason under his belt. He knows that June is his guy, first-hand witnessing how well North Carolina played with its now-sophomore star on the field.
June is also a solid receiving back, catching 17 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in 2025. With a full offseason in college under his belt, too, June will be a name to watch this fall.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Projected UNC football starter poised for a big 2026 season
Continue reading...
