Spring game observations: Defensive line, new-look offense

After having what could've been a historically successful season turn into an unforgettable let down at the finish, UNC football is back on the grind. 

With plenty of new faces taking first-team reps due to the NFL draft and the transfer portal, the Tar Heels put all of their progress from March and April in front of fans during the spring game on Saturday. The team was split by offense and defense with team offense wearing blue and team defense wearing white. The offense took the win, 16-0. 

Coming into the spring, there have been questions regarding the defensive line's production and who will be replacing the likes of Josh Downs and Antoine Green in the receiver room. The team already has its quarterback in sophomore Drake Maye and defensive leaders in linebackers Power Echols and Cedric Gray, but it still needs to mesh new players, and new coaches, before the start of the 2023 season. 

Here are some observations on where the team is heading into the summer. 

Defensive line showing improvement

The key word for the Tar Heels' defensive line this offseason is sacks. In 2022, they weren't getting enough of them, sitting dead last in the conference with only 17. 

A lack of pressure was of utmost concern for UNC, considering many of its defensive linemen, such as Jahvaree Ritzie, Myles Murphy and Travis Shaw, were highly touted recruits out of high school. On top of getting to the quarterback, stopping the run was also an issue last year with UNC giving up over 2,000 yards on the ground, prompting questions about player development towards defensive line coach Tim Cross. 

Cross, along with many of last season's lineman returned for 2023, and from their performance in the spring game, it looks like they're making strides in the right direction. 

The unit put plenty of pressure on both Drake Maye and Conner Harrell, accumulating numerous sacks on the afternoon. The first and second units also did a decent job with gap discipline and preventing open holes for running backs. 

In addition, the defensive line has added depth with the return of senior Tomari Fox from being ineligible in 2022 after using a pre-workout supplement that wasn't approved by the NCAA. Fox had a good day of getting into the backfield and making some plays at the line of scrimmage. 

Tez Walker showed flashes of being next in line

Tez Walker, the Charlotte native and transfer from Kent State, had one of the best days out of the receivers during the spring game. 

Although a new face, his talent wasn't unnoticed by the program after a monster 2022 season with the Golden Flashes. He hauled in 58 receptions, 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

On Saturday, he caught Maye's first touchdown pass of the afternoon on a 35 yard heave to the end zone. He beat sophomore corner Marcus Allen on the release and sped off to widen the separation. 

With his speed and size at 6-foot-2.5, Walker can be the new go-to option for Maye now that Downs and Green are no longer on the roster. All afternoon, he was able to get open, being useful in both the short game and down field. 

Offense will need time to mesh

Maye didn't have the best day during the spring game, despite throwing two touchdown passes. Especially in the red zone portions of the afternoon, there seemed to be a disconnect between him and his receivers, leading to balls being thrown off target or not thrown at all. 

Without his reliable options in Downs and Green, Maye having to rebuild chemistry with his targets is expected. The Tar Heels just need it to be all the way there by September because their offense may have to carry the bulk of the load again and continue its high-volume production for another successful year. 

Although it hasn't seemed to click during spring practices, UNC has plenty of time to get there. It also has some good looking alternatives in the run game with Elijah Green powering through the line of scrimmage and British Brooks looking explosive in his return from injury. 

With the first part of the new season over with, the Tar Heels now have to summer to put it all together. Will they look like ACC title contenders by fall?