Dark Horse Heels for the 2016 season

[TarHeelNation11]

Who are some "Dark Horse" type guys you see making unexpected impact this 2016 season?

I'll give you my offensive guy: Ty'Son Williams

Not sure about defense yet. What y'all got?

 

[grillheel]

Ok I'll play. I'll go with Jordan Cunningham on offense and Dajuan Drennon on defense.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Jordan Cunningham on offense

I could easily see JC surprising some folks. Plenty of passes to go around in this offense.

Dajuan Drennon on defense.

Man I hope so. Him and Naz need to stay healthy all season and ball out for this defense to be any better than it was last year.

 

[HeelFan58]

I read on another site that Cunningham is having trouble moving up the depth chart. I don't really know what that was based on.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I read on another site that Cunningham is having trouble moving up the depth chart. I don't really know what that was based on.

Rather than being a true impact player, he'll probably be our leading receiver in one random games. We roll with so many receivers that it's hard for any one guy to consistently put up numbers.

 

[Elijah.Lumbee]

Offensively I don't really know who could be considered a dark horse at this point, I feel like we know enough about everyone on that side of the ball to kind of know what we are getting bar Trubs. Defensively I'm thinking Jalen Dalton will have a really good year, I know he was a big time recruit but he really didn't get much attention conference wise or nationally last year as a freshman. Super dark horse I would LOVE to see Jonathan Smith come in and just be a stud from the start, kind of like Quan Sturdivant (who played QB in high school??? How did I not know this before?)

 

[Raising Heel]

Offense: Brandon Fritts

Defense: One of the Smith "brothers" -- Andre or Jonathan

Special Teams: Corbin Daly

 

[grillheel]

I could easily see JC surprising some folks. Plenty of passes to go around in this offense.


Man I hope so. Him and Naz need to stay healthy all season and ball out for this defense to be any better than it was last year.

Well, I based my pick of Cunningham on the fact that he's pretty much an unknown at this point but I am assuming he transferred in for a reason and Fed must like him so why not? We pretty much know what we have in QB, RB, and the other wide receivers so he is my offensive dark horse. Like you, I'm hoping Drennon and some other DL guys really step up this year, and would love to see RH's "Smith Brothers" come through.

 

[heelbent]

Sorry but I just can't see Jonathan Smith as a dark horse. That kid has star written all over him, IMO.

 

[matt 1976]

Offense - Fritts
Defense - Mikey Bart. He lead us in sacks last season and is our most productive DL, yet he gets zero respect. I think he will flirt with 9-10 sacks this season.

 

[WoadBlue]

Offense - Fritts
Defense - Mikey Bart. He lead us in sacks last season and is our most productive DL, yet he gets zero respect. I think he will flirt with 9-10 sacks this season.

Shoettmer was in the same boat. He was leading us in tackles a 2nd straight year, and there fools a-plenty on all UNC boards talking about how if only we had someone more affuhlettic at LB, then our D would be so much better.

People today, in much more than sports, tend hard to focus on the superficial and the hype. When you do that, your assessments are always skewed. It's the "image is everything' world.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Well, it won't be Kyree Campbell.

 

[gteeitup]

drennon
smith's
crawford

 

[randman1]

Dinkins. Not so much he'll start and dominate but will be very good when he's in the game, much better than expected.

Someone said Dalton but he wouldn't really be a dark horse as I think most everyone has high expectations for him.

Hope Mickey Bart is. I am not convinced but that'd be great. He played very well overall until he faced more elite talent on the O-line. If he a monster senior season, we may well have a great D-line.

 

[Archer2]

Offense - Fritts
Defense - Mikey Bart. He lead us in sacks last season and is our most productive DL, yet he gets zero respect. I think he will flirt with 9-10 sacks this season.

Great picks Matt.

Mikey got 6.5 of his career 8.5 sacks last year, and while still a little undersized at a generous 270, should get at least that many this year with his quickness and tenacity. I really like this young man.

I think Fritts is a guy who could be an impact player next year and a star in the making. He has great size, great hands, and enough speed assist our WR's in stretching the field. I look for him to put up very solid numbers next year and become a favorite of MT's. I think he has All-ACC potential.