SAKERLINA WEEK: #UNC 2015 O Line Preview

If you're familiar with my constant harping on the importance of Offensive Line play, the theme and tone of the below script should come as no surprise. For a third straight season Carolina's Offensive Line has the opportunity to either be biggest improvement or the biggest dissapointment for the 2015 offensive unit. Going into camp I was very high on what O Line Coach Chris Kaplovic was building in Chapel Hill. We we're beginning to see the veteran leadership take over and the influx of previously highly ranked prospects begin to finally develop and start to click. However, as Fall Camp has progressed, injuries and attrition have derailed the unit's supposed promise for 2015. What assumed to be the best offensive line since the dominant 2012 group, the 2015 is starting to shift away from benefiting the offense to hindering it. Let's take a look at the man chiefly responsible for keeping this unit together and on the up and up:

Chris Kapilovic - Associate Head Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
Coach Kap has had his work cut out for him during 4th season in Chapel Hill. As the run game coordinator he's responsible for making sure the men in the trenches carve holes through the front seven. That task is much easier said than done, as Carolina's struggled to establish a consistent run game over the last couple of seasons. He's never been shy to experiment with line ups and shifting players to different positions to find the most co-cohesive unit. An example of this is Carolina's had 7 different players take first team reps as the center this fall.

The Two Deep

Left Tackle
Left Tackle was a position of frsustration for 2014 with no true leader emerging from the position left behind by 4 year starter and current NFLer James Hurst. Part of the consistency issues in 2014 came solely from an inability to have the blind side locked up. But there's hope for 2015

1. Bentley Spain (#75) 6-6 300 lbs Sophomore - Emerging as the starter in Spring Ball, Bentley Spain gives the Carolina faithful hope for the next few years at left tackle. A highly touted recruit from your truly's Alama Mater, THE Providence High School, Spain not only has the athleticism needed to play the tackle position, but also has the nastiness to play in the interior. Spain's potential finally began to show during the healthiest stretch he's had in some time. If this guy can anchor the line, the tackle position shouldn't the concern it was last year.
2. William Sweet (#51) 6-7 300 lbs True Freshman -Spain's backup is no slouch either. Sweet has burst onto campus a big way since showing up undersized in January. Sweet's made the most of the strength and conditioning program and expect this kid to be a factor in the years going forward.

Left Guard
Going into 2015 I was convinced that the Left Guard position would be chiefly in the hands of Jared Cohen. The prediction will not come true this season as Cohen has left the program for personal reasons. While the coaching staff is optimistic for a return in 2016, this left the Left Guard a bit thinner than anticipated.

1. Caleb Peterson (#70) 6-5 300 lbs Redshirt Junior - Caleb Peterson is a two year returning starter who played much of the 2014 season, at least how it looked on film, lost. Whether he suffered from injuries or lack of agression and head games, I couldn't quite figure out where the drop off from year one to year two came. Coach Kap has stressed that Caleb is back to playing his game, which is a good thing because the Tar Heels need his best in 2015.
2. John Ferranto (#77) 6-6 300 lbs Redshirt Junior - Ferranto finds himself at a new position in 2015 after starting at Left Tackle for all of 2014. His versatility has been spoken well about from the UNC Coaching Staff. Ferranto has experience at both guard and tackle positions and should serve as Carolina's Utility Linemen. 

Center
Center looked to be one of the bright spots on Carolina's offensive line heading into fall ball with 2 year returning and All ACC caliber Center Lucas Crowley.

1. Lucas Crowley (#68) 6-3 290 lbs Junior - Unfortunately Fall Ball has not been kind to the returning starter. Crowley's been out since the first week with a nagging ankle injury. The Coaching staff is still going through Game Week prep as if Crowley is the starter. Crowley's health, is the most important piece of this offensive line, even more so than Landon Truner.
2. Tommy Hatton (#52) 6-3 285 lbs True Freshman - Hatton comes to UNC as one of the top OL prospects in the country. The coaches, and this writer, believe he has all of the tools to be one of the best Linemen in the conference before he moves on.

Right Guard
Carolina's starting right Guard has most of the national and ACC Media's attention and it's easy to see why.

1. Landon Turner (#78) 6-4 325 lbs 5th Year Senior - Easily the most decorated of the Carolina Linemen during the pre-season, Turner made about every watch list and Pre Season All American squad that is out there. When Turner is fully engaged and in tune, he's a human wrecking ball. Expect Carolina to run many a dive play off of Landon Turner's outside hip.
2. Brad Henson (#73) 6-5 290 lbs Redshirt Soph - Henson's another one of Carolina's versatile Utility Linemen who has experience at both guard sports and at center. He's been a tad banged up this Fall Camp but expect him to be ready to contribute this season.

Right Tackle
Despite having a returning starter at Right Tackle, I feel much more comfortable with the position Carolina sits at the opposite tackle

1. Jon Heck (#71) 6-7 300 lbs Red Shirt Junior - Sure Heck has the NFL Pedigree (Dad Played in the pros for over a decade). the size and the tools to be a successful college tackle, but he just doesn't see to have "It." He (and Ferranto for that matter) were easily my most critiqued players on the offensive line last year as both of them failed to show the lateral moved needed to play against the ACC Defensive Ends. Word throughout camp has been how much this player has improved. I am prepared to be amazed.
2. RJ Prince (#76) 6-6 325 lbs Redshirt Sophomore - Prince bounced around the depth chart a bit, with getting work in the Defensive Tackle Spot this spring, but has since moved back to his natural position of offensive tackle due to depth concerns. Was thrown into the trenches last year and played a bit lost. Expect most of his PT to come on special teams this year. 

Others

• As mentioned my initial projected starter at LG, Jared Cohen, is currently back home in Maryland for personal reasons. It's unclear whether or not Cohen will make it back to Chapel Hill. The hope is he's back for Spring Ball in 2016. Best of luck to the young man as he sorts some things out.
• Will Dancy  has been sidelined for the year leaving Carolina one less vital backup

As I've said time and time again, the success of the offensive depends on the men up front. The hope is Carolina can stay healthy and develop continuity so Marquise, the Backs and the Receivers can have a field day in 2015.

Defense is up next. 6 days y'all. 

WFP