2015 UNC Backfield Preview

It's hard to believe that we're three weeks away from the Opening Game against Sakerlina. To prime everyone for the 2015 Campaign let's take a look at one of Carolina's biggest strengths: The talent and experience in the Offensive Backfield

Backfield Coaches

Carolina's Backfield is fortunate to have some of the best in the business 

Keith Heckendorf - QBs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator

•  5^th year in Chapel Hill and second season in this role
•  Coached the likes of Renner and Quise Williams and has helped both QBs re-write the record book at UNC 

Larry Porter – RBs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator

• 2^nd year in Chapel Hill 
• Former Running Backs coach at LSU and OK State including a National  Recruiter of the Year
• Implemented the running back by committee method at LSU and groomed many future pros including Jacob Hester, Joseph Addai, Tatum Bell and Trindon Holliday
• Porter's biggest splash at Carolina has been on the recruiting end so far.

Quarterbacks

QB 1 Marquise Williams (#12) 6-2 225 lbs 5^th Year Senior

• Marquise has the opportunity to re-write the record book in his final season in Chapel Hill
• After playing hurt for all of 2014 Quise used the off-season to get his hip repaired and to get mentally and physical ready for his most important campaign yet
• Marquise has done a complete 180 since arriving on campus. For a while many wondered if he’d ever come back to play, how he’d handle the competition, and how his body would hold up
• Marquise is an ACC player of the year type talent must have a big year to propel the Heels to the next level
• I must Marquise for discrediting this guy last year. I was convinced that Trubisky was going to end up winning the job in 

QB 2 Mitch Trubisky (#10) 6-3 220 lbs RS Soph

• Trubisky pushed Marquise for the first half of the 2014 campaign only for the coaching staff to side with Quise for the second half of the year
• He received the overwhelming majority of first string reps in 2015 Spring Ball with Marquise sidelined
• Coaches are very optimistic about his future and are comfortable with his ability to perform when called upon

QB 3 Caleb Henderson (#6) 6-3 215 lbs RS Frosh

• The coaches are optimistic about the Redshirt Freshman from Virginia. Henderson has a big arm and made the most of his second string snaps this past spring
• Don't expect to see much of this guy unless in mop up time

Anthony Ratliff Williams (#17) 6-1 200 lbs Redshirting
Nathan Elliot (#4) 6-1 195 lbs Redshirting

• Both Ratliff-Williams and Elliot are slated to redshirt during the 2015 campaign. ARW could very well end up moving to a different position because of how much of a freak athlete the kid is.

Running Backs

1st Teamers: Elijah Hood (#34) 6-0 220 lbs Soph. 

                     TJ Logan (#8) 5-9 190 lbs Junior

• Elijah Hood and TJ Logan will be getting the majority of snaps at Running Back during 2015
• Logan and Hood both have the ability to run in between the tackles and to hit the next gear and break a long run
• Hood, for a second straight season will be looked as Carolina's Punisher in the run game behind his hulking frame.
• Hood excels as a pass blocker and will be heavily relied up on in that domain
• Logan's ability to evade tacklers will be on full display as he looks to have a bounce back year in 2015
• Expect TJ Logan to get some snaps in at A Back as the coaches try to take some pressure off of Ryan Switzer at the position
• Logan adds the Kick Return element where he's excelled. Logan's a threat to score from the backfield, split out wide and returning kicks
• Hood is a "Man on a Mission" in 2015. His relentless work ethic plus his drive to go as hard as he can each and every down whether it's practice or a game should serve Carolina 10 fold in 2015. I expect Hood to have a HUGE year, because he doesn't appear to be satisfied with how last season went.

2nd Teamers Romar Morris (#21) 5-10 190 5^th year Senior 

                      Ty’Son Williams (#9) 6-0 225 lbs True Freshman 

• Morris has been a straight burner since setting foot on campus. Expect Coaches try to stretch the field when Morris is in. I've often referred to him as the Curious Case of Romar Morris as he shown several flashes of brilliance at Carolina but has been highly inconsistent on and off the field 
• Ty'Son Williams has made some noise in camp with his unique combination of size and speed If Logan ends sees more time at A Back than expected, Williams will be looked to help carry the load with Hood 

3rd Teamers Khris Francis (#1) 5-9 210 lbs 
                     Charles Brunson (#27) 5-11 205 lbs

• The hope is Khris Francis bounces back from blowing out his knee late in 2014. He was effective in 2013 and is consistent when relied upon
• Walk-On Charles Brunson has had his moments when called upon including the winning score against Pitt. He will heavily relied upon as a special teams stud

What to Expect:

Much of this group's production relies heavily on the success of the offensive line. The Quarterbacks have been preached that they must do a better job of taking care of the ball this year and must limit mistakes. Getting the ball out of the backfield quicker has to the mind set of this entire group as well as stretching the defense out. The Running Back by Committee method can executed well but this coaching staff must recognize when to go with the hot hand. If Marquise and the stable of backs behind him can stay healthy and hungry, and the offensive line develops some cohesiveness, expect big numbers out of the backfield this season.