CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– The North Carolina football team has faced unprecedented adversity this season, but has responded with resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Tar Heels suffered a devastating blow when they lost starting quarterback Max Johnson in their season opener. This was followed by a historic upset loss to James Madison. Most tragically, the team and community were rocked by the death of wide receiver Tylee Craft, who passed away from lung cancer on October 12th.
In the wake of Tylee’s passing, the #TyleeStrong movement has swept throughout Chapel Hill, forever keeping his memory and spirit alive. The Tar Heels’ Nutrition Center has been named in Tylee’s honor, his jersey number -13- is displayed on helmets and the players wear “TyleeStrong” shirts under their uniforms. Despite the undesirable growing pains that came from this loss, Tylee’s legacy has become a
driving force for the team and what they face the remainder of the season.
Since his death, the players have found a new level of performance, truly playing for Tylee. Over the past two games UNC has scored 76 points, while limiting Virginia and Florida State to just 25 points – combined. They have recorded 17 sacks and 4 interceptions during this stretch, vaulting them to 4th nationally in sacks per game and 33rd in tackles for loss.
“I think it’s been there all along,” said defensive coordinator Geoff Collins. “We’ve got really good players up front, we keep them fresh, we roll them through the game and it’s just wave after wave of really good players executing at a high level.”
Head coach Mack Brown acknowledged the team’s resilience saying, “you often have to go through storms to find the rainbow.” The Tar Heels’ mental and physical toughness has been on full display as they’ve endured a tumultuous season.
With a record of 5-4 and just three games left in the regular season, the Tar Heels are determined to honor Tylee’s memory the right way. Regardless of the final record, the strength of character and determination are markers of a productive season and this team’s impressive resolve has set the stage for a potentially inspiring conclusion to the year.
Coach Brown acknowledged that the team he sees now is the same one he envisioned back in spring and fall camp, just with some unfavorable circumstances.
“They were built to finish better than how they started, and the way they’ve approached the game and competed has been phenomenal,” he said.
As the regular season winds down, attention will inevitably turn to the team’s bowl prospects, potential redshirts and the ever-evolving transfer portal. Oftentimes, it seems like there’s a greater emphasis on the portal than recruiting measures.
This Saturday the Tar Heels will face Wake Forest, a promising contest and their first return to Kenan Stadium since Tylee’s passing. Like the past three contests, a thriller 36-34 game in Winston Salem two years ago, a 58-55 shootout that
resulted in a fan rush at Kenan in 2021 and just edging past 59-53 in 2020, Saturday will not disappoint.
The defense appears to have found its footing, thanks in part to standout performances from Kaimon Rucker, Desmond Evans and Jahvaree Ritzie – the latter two who lead defensive linemen in tackles with 28. Evans also has 7.5 tackles for losses and a team-high five quarterback hurries.
They’ve made the necessary changes to thwart offenses, namely stopping the run and keeping the pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.
“Our kids have bought in with total confidence,” Brown said. “They totally believe in what we’re doing on defense and they’re doing it with confidence.”
After weathering one storm after another, the Tar Heels now find themselves on the cusp of a strong finish. With Tylee’s legacy spurring them on, this team is poised to ride their momentum all the way to a signature win and a bowl appearance that would make their teammate proud.
