The loss of John Ferranto for the season is certainly a blow to the Tar Heels. Ferranto played more than 1,200 snaps the last two seasons and was as respected as player in that group as there is on the team. He may not be the best blocker, but nobody works harder and nobody has a better attitude.
What UNC loses here more than anything is the flexibility Ferranto offers. Had another starter gotten hurt, other than center Lucas Crowley, Ferranto would have been a candidate to move over into that starting spot, or at least that would have been the first option the staff would have discussed.
The next most experienced lineman in the program will step forward and assume that Ferranto’s right guard spot, at least for now. Brad Henson, 6-5, 290-pounder from Surf City, NJ, has also worked at several positions on the line while at UNC, but he’s best suited to play guard.
The main reason Henson gets the nod now is that he played 173 snaps last season at guard and center and 13 in 2014. He’s been in the trenches. Some snap breakdowns for him: Career-high 32 vs. N.C. A&T, he had 4 knockdowns that game; 27 vs. Duke and 24 vs. Miami. He played 5 in the opener vs. South Carolina.
Henson was ranked the No. 26 player at his position nationally and the No. 11 overall prospect in New Jersey by Rivals.com. He was also offered by Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Carolina, Miami, West Virginia among many others.
Expect a battle in fall camp, though, between Henson and probably RS freshman Nick Polino for that spot. Polino is considered a grinder, perfectly suited for the position, and has a tremendous upside. The 6-4, 290-pound Polino is going to be a factor.
The staff wants to get him on the field this season, because the line was expected to lose perhaps four starters. Polino, a 3-star prospect from Buford, GA, was also offered by Arkansas, California, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and many others.
Another possibility is that Mason Veal, a 6-5, 300-pound RS freshman gets a long look there, as well. Not initially on the depth chart released not long ago, he certainly was very close. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 7 player overall in North Carolina coming out of Ardry Kell H.S. in Charlotte.
Veal, by the way, was also offered by Clemson, South Carolina, West Virginia, and N.C. State among others.
It’s uncertain at this time if anyone else will move around, though it’s possible. It’s also uncertain if Ferranto will apply for a sixth year of eligibility. If he does and it’s granted, his return along with the added experience others will get now due to him being out will serve the OL well going into next season.
So, there is somewhat of a silver lining to this.
What UNC loses here more than anything is the flexibility Ferranto offers. Had another starter gotten hurt, other than center Lucas Crowley, Ferranto would have been a candidate to move over into that starting spot, or at least that would have been the first option the staff would have discussed.
The next most experienced lineman in the program will step forward and assume that Ferranto’s right guard spot, at least for now. Brad Henson, 6-5, 290-pounder from Surf City, NJ, has also worked at several positions on the line while at UNC, but he’s best suited to play guard.
The main reason Henson gets the nod now is that he played 173 snaps last season at guard and center and 13 in 2014. He’s been in the trenches. Some snap breakdowns for him: Career-high 32 vs. N.C. A&T, he had 4 knockdowns that game; 27 vs. Duke and 24 vs. Miami. He played 5 in the opener vs. South Carolina.
Henson was ranked the No. 26 player at his position nationally and the No. 11 overall prospect in New Jersey by Rivals.com. He was also offered by Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Carolina, Miami, West Virginia among many others.
Expect a battle in fall camp, though, between Henson and probably RS freshman Nick Polino for that spot. Polino is considered a grinder, perfectly suited for the position, and has a tremendous upside. The 6-4, 290-pound Polino is going to be a factor.
The staff wants to get him on the field this season, because the line was expected to lose perhaps four starters. Polino, a 3-star prospect from Buford, GA, was also offered by Arkansas, California, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and many others.
Another possibility is that Mason Veal, a 6-5, 300-pound RS freshman gets a long look there, as well. Not initially on the depth chart released not long ago, he certainly was very close. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 7 player overall in North Carolina coming out of Ardry Kell H.S. in Charlotte.
Veal, by the way, was also offered by Clemson, South Carolina, West Virginia, and N.C. State among others.
It’s uncertain at this time if anyone else will move around, though it’s possible. It’s also uncertain if Ferranto will apply for a sixth year of eligibility. If he does and it’s granted, his return along with the added experience others will get now due to him being out will serve the OL well going into next season.
So, there is somewhat of a silver lining to this.
