# 2023 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

The 2023 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tar Heels were led by head coach Mack Brown, who was in the fifth season of his second stint at North Carolina and 15th overall season at the university. The team played their home games at Kenan Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels football team drew an average home attendance of 50,095 in 2023.

## Off-season
### Coaching changes

After the ACC Championship Game, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Phil Longo accepted the same position at Wisconsin. Offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. followed Longo to Madison after one year in Chapel Hill.
On December 14, 2022, the Tar Heels hired Randy Clements as the new offensive line coach, and would also hire Chip Lindsey to fill the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach vacancy. Along with the new hires, AHC/WR coach Lonnie Galloway added the title of pass game coordinator, and then-TE coach John Lilly added the title of run game coordinator.
Cornerbacks coach and Tar Heel football legend Dré Bly would leave the program in January, and would be replaced in the position by Indiana safeties coach Jason Jones.
In February, John Lilly left to take the TE coach position on Frank Reich's Carolina Panthers staff. He was replaced four days later by former Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens. Kitchens was introduced officially on March 1, in the team's pre-spring practice press conference. Kitchens retains Lilly's former title of run game coordinator as well.
Former Tar Heel letterman and longtime NFL assistant Clyde Christensen joined the staff as a volunteer offensive analyst as well, after several seasons as the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The defensive staff was fortified also, as former NFL assistant coach Ted Monachino was hired as a defensive analyst.

### Departures
#### NFL Draft

The following Tar Heels were selected in the 2023 NFL draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
| 3 | 79 | Josh Downs | WR | Indianapolis Colts |
| 5 | 169 | Asim Richards | OL | Dallas Cowboys |
| 7 | 219 | Antoine Green | WR | Detroit Lions |
| 7 | 227 | Raymond Vohasek | DL | Jacksonville Jaguars |

#### Transfers

Per NCAA guidance, players can enter the transfer portal in one of two windows. The first, a 45-day period following the conclusion of the sport's regular season, opened for football in December 2022 and closed in January 2023. A second, shorter transfer period opened on April 15, following the conclusion of spring practice.
Source:
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | New school |
| Dontae Balfour | 14 | DB | 6'1" | 180 | Starke, FL | Freshman | Charlotte |
| Tymir Brown | 28 | DB | 6'0" | 180 | Jacksonville, NC | Freshman | ECU |
| Chris Collins | 17 | DL | 6'4" | 245 | Richmond, VA | Graduate | Minnesota |
| Ja'Qurious Conley‡ | 0 | DB | 6'1" | 215 | Jacksonville, NC | Junior | «» |
| Jacolby Criswell | 6 | QB | 6'1" | 225 | Morrilton, AR | Sophomore | Arkansas |
| Raneiria "RaRa" Dillworth | 11 | LB | 6'1" | 200 | Winston-Salem, NC | Sophomore | ECU |
| Storm Duck | 3 | DB | 6'0" | 200 | Boiling Springs, SC | Senior | Louisville |
| Tony Grimes | 1 | DB | 6'0" | 195 | Virginia Beach, VA | Junior | Texas A&M |
| Ladaeson Deandre Hollins‡ | 15 | DB | 6'1" | 200 | Tampa, FL | Graduate | Charlotte |
| Bryson Jennings‡ | 19 | DL | 6'4" | 245 | Richmond, VA | Freshman | Liberty |
| Kendall Karr | 82 | TE | 6'3" | 250 | Belmont, NC | Sophomore | Coastal Carolina |
| Cam'Ron Kelly | 9 | DB | 6'1" | 210 | Chesapeake, VA | Senior | Louisville |
| Jonathan Kim | 95 | PK | 6'0" | 210 | Fredericksburg, VA | Senior | Michigan State |
| Dontavius Nash | 21 | DB | 6'2" | 180 | Gastonia, NC | Freshman | ECU |
| Justin Olson | 83 | WR | 6'2" | 200 | Huntersville, NC | Junior | MTSU |
| Keeshawn Silver | 55 | DL | 6'5" | 315 | Rocky Mount, NC | Freshman | Kentucky |
| Gabe Stephens‡ | 34 | DL | 6'3" | 220 | Mount Holly, NC | Sophomore | Eastern Kentucky |
| Jahlil Taylor | 52 | DL | 6'0" | 295 | Vienna, GA | Senior | ODU |
‡ Entered transfer portal following the conclusion of spring practices.
«» Indicates player did not enroll at a new school.

### Additions
#### Incoming transfers

Source:
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | Previous school |
| Derrik Allen | 7 | DB | 6'2" | 211 | Marietta, GA | Graduate | Georgia Tech |
| Armani Chatman | 9 | DB | 6'0" | 180 | Virginia Beach, VA | Graduate | Virginia Tech |
| Ryan Coe | 40 | K | 6'3" | 225 | McDonald, PA | Graduate | Cincinnati |
| Amari Gainer | 3 | Jack | 6'3" | 237 | Tallahassee, FL | Graduate | Florida State |
| Alijah Huzzie | 28 | DB | 5'11" | 190 | Franklin, GA | Junior | ETSU |
| Willie Lampkin | 53 | OL | 6'0" | 275 | Lakeland, FL | Senior | Coastal Carolina |
| Antavious "Stick" Lane | 1 | DB | 5'9" | 180 | West Palm Beach, FL | Graduate | Georgia State |
| Tom Maginness | 96 | P | 6'0" | 220 | Melbourne, Australia | Sophomore | ProKick Australia |
| Nate McCollum | 6 | WR | 5'11" | 185 | Hampton, GA | Senior | Georgia Tech |
| Devontez Walker | 9 | WR | 6'3" | 190 | Charlotte, NC | Junior | Kent State |

#### Recruiting class

Source:
North Carolina signed 20 players in the class of 2023. The Tar Heels' class finished 30th in the 247Sports composite rankings, 28th in the Rivals rankings, and 29th in the ESPN.com rankings. Four signees were ranked in the ESPN 300 prospect list.
College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Tad Hudson QB | Cornelius, NC | Hough | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Aug 1, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 ||||||
| Jaybron Harvey EDGE | Durham, NC | Southern Durham | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jul 1, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 ||||||
| Joel Starlings DL | Richmond, VA | Benedictine | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 310 lb (140 kg) | May 23, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 ||||||
| Chris Culliver WR | Maiden, NC | Maiden | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jul 4, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 81 ||||||
| Christian Hamilton WR | Harrisburg, NC | Hickory Ridge | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jul 1, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 ||||||
| Nolan McConnell OL | Stafford, VA | Colonial Forge | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | May 3, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 79 ||||||
| Tyler Thompson EDGE | Cary, NC | Panther Creek | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Jun 29, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 79 ||||||
| Caleb LaVallee LB | Mableton, GA | Whitefield Academy | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jun 6, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Tre Miller DB | Edmond, OK | Deer Creek | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jun 26, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Rodney Lora DL | Woodberry Forest, VA | Woodberry Forest | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Dec 20, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| D.J. Geth OL | Roebuck, SC | Dorman | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | Jun 25, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77 ||||||
| Paul Billups WR | Chesapeake, VA | Western Branch | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Aug 24, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77 ||||||
| Jordan Louie RB | Norcross, GA | Meadowcreek | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Dec 21, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77 ||||||
| Amare Campbell LB | Manassas, VA | Unity Reed | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Aug 24, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Julien Randolph TE | Ashburn, VA | Independence | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jun 14, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Kaleb Cost DB | Tyrone, GA | Sandy Creek | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jun 11, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Ayden Duncanson DB | Mableton, GA | Whitefield Academy | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Oct 16, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| R.J. Grigsby OL | Kennesaw, GA | North Cobb | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Jul 1, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Ty Adams DB | Swainsboro, GA | Swainsboro | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Sep 25, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Michael Short LB | Charlotte, NC | Mallard Creek | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Dec 15, 2022 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74 ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: #28 247Sports: #30 ESPN: #29 ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Rivals commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023. "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023. "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023. "247Sports commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023. ||||||

## Schedule

The 2023 ACC conference football schedule was released on January 30, 2023. The 2023 season will be the conference's first season under a new single-division format. The 3-5-5 model gives each team three set conference opponents to play every season, while playing the remaining ten teams twice (once at home and once on the road) in a four–year cycle. The Tar Heels' non-rotating opponents are all traditional rivalries: Duke, NC State, and Virginia.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. South Carolina* | No. 21 | Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (Duke's Mayo Classic, rivalry, College GameDay) | ABC | W 31–17 | 68,723 |
| September 9 | 5:15 p.m. | Appalachian State* | No. 17 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCN | W 40–34 $^{2OT}$ | 50,500 |
| September 16 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota* | No. 20 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ESPN | W 31–13 | 50,500 |
| September 23 | 8:00 p.m. | at Pittsburgh | No. 17 | Acrisure StadiumPittsburgh, PA | ACCN | W 41–24 | 48,544 |
| October 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 14 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ESPN | W 40–7 | 50,500 |
| October 14 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 25 Miami (FL) | No. 12 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ABC | W 41–31 | 50,500 |
| October 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Virginia | No. 10 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC (South's Oldest Rivalry) | The CW | L 27–31 | 50,500 |
| October 28 | 8:00 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | No. 17 | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCN | L 42–46 | 35,945 |
| November 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Campbell* | | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCN | W 59–7 | 47,667 |
| November 11 | 8:00 p.m. | Duke | No. 24 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC (Victory Bell) | ACCN | W 47–45 $^{2OT}$ | 50,500 |
| November 18 | 3:30 p.m. | at Clemson | No. 20 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ESPN | L 20–31 | 81,305 |
| November 25 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 22 NC State | | Carter-Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC (rivalry) | ACCN | L 20–39 | 56,919 |
| December 27 | 5:30 p.m. | vs. West Virginia* | | Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (Duke's Mayo Bowl) | ESPN | L 10–30 | 42,925 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after October 31) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### vs. South Carolina (Duke's Mayo Classic, rivalry)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 21 North Carolina | 7 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
| South Carolina | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, North Carolina
* Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
* Game time: 7:44 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Clear • 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: NE 3 MPH
* Game attendance: 68,723
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), Molly McGrath (sideline)
| Statistics | UNC | SC |
| First downs | 21 | 20 |
| Total yards | 71–437 | 70–351 |
| Rushing yards | 39–168 | 31– -2 |
| Passing yards | 269 | 353 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–32–2 | 30–39–0 |
| Time of possession | 32:37 | 27:23 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 24/32, 269 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | British Brooks | 15 carries, 103 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Kobe Paysour | 7 receptions, 66 yards, TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Spencer Rattler | 30/39, 353 yards |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Dakereon Joyner | 12 carries, 23 yards, TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Xavier Legette | 9 receptions, 178 yards |

### Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| Mountaineers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
| • No. 17 Tar Heels | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 40 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -18 | 58 |
| Statistics | App | UNC |
| First downs | 30 | 27 |
| Plays–yards | 87–494 | 75–527 |
| Rushes–yards | 44–219 | 45–319 |
| Passing yards | 275 | 208 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–43–1 | 21–30 |
| Time of possession | 33:29 | 26:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| App | Passing | Joey Aguilar | 22/43, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| App | Rushing | Nate Noel | 26 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD |
| App | Receiving | Dashaun Davis | 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 21/30, 208 yards |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 26 carries, 234 yards, 3 TD |
| UNC | Receiving | J.J. Jones | 5 receptions, 91 yards |

### Minnesota

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Gophers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| • No. 20 Tar Heels | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -7.5 | 51 |
| Statistics | MIN | UNC |
| First downs | 19 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 61–303 | 77–519 |
| Rushes–yards | 31–170 | 37–105 |
| Passing yards | 133 | 414 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 11–30–2 | 29–40–2 |
| Time of possession | 26:50 | 33:10 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIN | Passing | Athan Kaliakmanis | 11/29, 133 yards, INT |
| MIN | Rushing | Darius Taylor | 22 carries, 138 yards, TD |
| MIN | Receiving | Corey Crooms | 4 receptions, 46 yards |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 29/40, 414 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 13 carries, 46 yards, TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Nate McCollum | 15 receptions, 165 yards, TD |

### at Pittsburgh

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 17 Tar Heels | 7 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 41 |
| Panthers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -7.5 | 50.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | PITT |
| First downs | 22 | 18 |
| Plays–yards | 69–373 | 60–304 |
| Rushes–yards | 39–77 | 27–110 |
| Passing yards | 296 | 196 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–30–0 | 18–33–2 |
| Time of possession | 31:07 | 28:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 22/30, 296 yards, TD |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 18 carries, 66 yards, TD |
| UNC | Receiving | J.J. Jones | 6 receptions, 117 yards |
| PITT | Passing | Phil Jurkovec | 11/15, 109 yards |
| PITT | Rushing | Rodney Hammond Jr. | 14 carries, 83 yards, TD |
| PITT | Receiving | Konata Mumpfield | 8 receptions, 90 yards |

### Syracuse

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Orange | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • No. 14 Tar Heels | 10 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 40 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -9.5 | 59.5 |
| Statistics | SU | UNC |
| First downs | 11 | 33 |
| Plays–yards | 51–221 | 97–644 |
| Rushes–yards | 28–92 | 48–202 |
| Passing yards | 129 | 442 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 16–23–2 | 33–49–0 |
| Time of possession | 22:44 | 37:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| SU | Passing | Garrett Shrader | 15/21, 124 yards, INT |
| SU | Rushing | LeQuint Allen | 11 carries, 38 yards, TD |
| SU | Receiving | Umari Hatcher | 6 receptions, 85 yards |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 33/47, 442 yards, 3 TD |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 15 carries, 78 yards |
| UNC | Receiving | Nate McCollum | 7 receptions, 135 yards |

### Miami (FL)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 25 Hurricanes | 0 | 17 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
| • No. 12 Tar Heels | 7 | 7 | 21 | 6 | 41 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -3.5 | 56.5 |
| Statistics | UM | UNC |
| First downs | 28 | 24 |
| Plays–yards | 76–482 | 76–508 |
| Rushes–yards | 27–91 | 43–235 |
| Passing yards | 391 | 273 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 31–49–2 | 17–33–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:04 | 29:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UM | Passing | Tyler Van Dyke | 31/48, 391 yards, 4 TD |
| UM | Rushing | Henry Parrish Jr. | 13 carries, 73 yards, TD |
| UM | Receiving | Xavier Restrepo | 11 receptions, 96 yards, 2 TD |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 17/33, 273 yards, 4 TD |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 24 carries, 197 yards, TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Tez Walker | 6 receptions, 132 yards, 3 TD |

### Virginia (South's Oldest Rivalry)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cavaliers | 14 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| No. 10 Tar Heels | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -23.5 | 56.5 |
| Statistics | UVA | UNC |
| First downs | 26 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 84–436 | 77–490 |
| Rushes–yards | 54–228 | 29–143 |
| Passing yards | 208 | 347 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 20–30–1 | 24–48–1 |
| Time of possession | 37:06 | 22:54 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UVA | Passing | Tony Muskett | 20/30, 208 yards, TD, INT |
| UVA | Rushing | Perris Jones | 14 carries, 67 yards |
| UVA | Receiving | Malik Washington | 12 receptions, 115 yards, TD |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 24/48, 347 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 19 carries, 112 yards |
| UNC | Receiving | Tez Walker | 11 receptions, 146 yards, TD |

### at Georgia Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 17 Tar Heels | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| • Yellow Jackets | 0 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 46 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -11.5 | 64.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | GT |
| First downs | 25 | 29 |
| Plays–yards | 72–577 | 78–639 |
| Rushes–yards | 47–267 | 48–348 |
| Passing yards | 310 | 287 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 17–25–0 | 23–30–1 |
| Time of possession | 32:04 | 27:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 17/25, 310 yards, 2 TD |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 29 carries, 153 yards, 2 TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Bryson Nesbit | 3 receptions, 89 yards, TD |
| GT | Passing | Haynes King | 23/30, 287 yards, 4 TD |
| GT | Rushing | Dontae Smith | 22 carries, 178 yards, TD |
| GT | Receiving | Eric Singleton, Jr. | 8 receptions, 117 yards, TD |

### Campbell

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Fighting Camels | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Tar Heels | 7 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 59 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -38.5 | 67.5 |
| Statistics | CU | UNC |
| First downs | 20 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 79–287 | 61–594 |
| Rushes–yards | 42–102 | 33–276 |
| Passing yards | 185 | 318 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 25–37–1 | 21–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 38:26 | 21:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| CU | Passing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 25/37, 185 yards, INT |
| CU | Rushing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 11 carries, 51 yards |
| CU | Receiving | Ezeriah Anderson | 9 receptions, 102 yards |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 16/23, 244 yards, 4 TD |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 15 carries, 144 yards, 2 TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Bryson Nesbit | 6 receptions, 78 yards |

### Duke (Victory Bell)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| Blue Devils | 0 | 14 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 45 |
| • No. 24 Tar Heels | 10 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 47 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -10.5 | 53.5 |
| Statistics | Duke | UNC |
| First downs | 22 | 30 |
| Plays–yards | 72–379 | 87–537 |
| Rushes–yards | 43–179 | 44–195 |
| Passing yards | 200 | 342 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 17–29–0 | 28–43–1 |
| Time of possession | 31:24 | 28:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Duke | Passing | Grayson Loftis | 16/28, 189 yards, 3 TD |
| Duke | Rushing | Jordan Waters | 20 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD |
| Duke | Receiving | Jordan Moore | 6 receptions, 88 yards, 3 TD |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 28/43, 342, TD, INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 31 carries, 169 yards, TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Tez Walker | 7 receptions, 162 yards |

### at Clemson

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 20 Tar Heels | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| • Tigers | 0 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CLEM -8.5 | 59.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | CLEM |
| First downs | 19 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 69–457 | 89–466 |
| Rushes–yards | 32–248 | 55–247 |
| Passing yards | 209 | 219 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 16–37–1 | 21–34–0 |
| Time of possession | 21:49 | |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 16/36, 209 yards, TD, INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 19 carries, 178 yards, 2 TD |
| UNC | Receiving | Tez Walker | 4 receptions, 70 yards |
| CLEM | Passing | Cade Klubnik | 21/32, 219 yards, TD |
| CLEM | Rushing | Will Shipley | 18 carries, 126 yards, TD |
| CLEM | Receiving | Adam Randall | 2 receptions, 57 yards |

### at NC State (Rivalry)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tar Heels | 0 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 20 |
| • No. 22 Wolfpack | 6 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 39 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -2.5 | 55.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | NCSU |
| First downs | 21 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 59–384 | 74–504 |
| Rushes–yards | 21–130 | 43–170 |
| Passing yards | 254 | 334 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–38–2 | 22–31–0 |
| Time of possession | 19:54 | 40:00 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNC | Passing | Drake Maye | 22/38, 254, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Drake Maye | 9 carries, 106 yards, TD |
| UNC | Receiving | John Copenhaver | 5 receptions, 64 yards, TD |
| NCSU | Passing | Brennan Armstrong | 22/31, 334 yards, 3 TD |
| NCSU | Rushing | KC Concepcion | 11 carries, 55 yards |
| NCSU | Receiving | KC Concepcion | 7 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TD |

### vs. West Virginia (Duke's Mayo Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tar Heels | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • Mountaineers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| WVU -5.5 | 60.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | WVU |
| First downs | 20 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 68–339 | 53–392 |
| Rushes–yards | 41–140 | 30–164 |
| Passing yards | 199 | 228 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 18–27–2 | 12–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 34:39 | 25:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNC | Passing | Conner Harrell | 18/27, 199 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| UNC | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 19 carries, 62 yards |
| UNC | Receiving | Gavin Blackwell | 3 receptions, 78 yards |
| WVU | Passing | Garrett Greene | 12/23, 228 yards, TD |
| WVU | Rushing | Garrett Greene | 9 carries, 64 yards |
| WVU | Receiving | Traylon Ray | 3 receptions, 91 yards, TD |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 21 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 17 | RV | 24 | 22 | RV | RV | | |
| Coaches | 20 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 25 | 23 | 20 | RV | — | | |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | 24 | 20 | — | — | | Not released |

## After the season
### All-Conference Selections

Source:

#### 1st team

* Omarion Hampton (RB)
* Bryson Nesbit (TE)
* Cedric Gray (LB)

#### 2nd team

* Drake Maye (QB)
* Kaimon Rucker (DE)
* Noah Burnette (PK)

#### 3rd team

* Willie Lampkin (OL)
* Tez Walker (WR)
* Power Echols (LB)

#### Honorable Mention

* Spencer Rolland (OL)
* Corey Gaynor (OL)
* Myles Murphy (DT)
* Alijah Huzzie (DB)

### All-America Selections

* Omarion Hampton (1st Team, WCFF; 2nd team CBS Sports, AP)

### Departures
#### Transfer Portal Entries

The following members of the 2023 Tar Heel football team entered the transfer portal in the postseason window.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | New school |
| Kedrick Bingley-Jones | 41 | DL | 6'4" | 305 | Concord, NC | Junior | Mississippi State |
| Jefferson Boaz | 14 | QB | 6'7" | 235 | Pilot Mountain, NC | Junior | Stephen F. Austin |
| Jalen Brooks | 36 | LB | 5'10" | 240 | Knightdale, NC | Junior | Campbell |
| Deuce Caldwell | 44 | LB | 6'0" | 230 | Mauldin, SC | Sophomore | TBD |
| Chance Carroll | 54 | OL | 6'2" | 295 | Mooresville, NC | Junior | Georgia Southern |
| Tychaun Chapman | 0 | WR | 5'9" | 175 | Virginia Beach, VA | R-Fr. | Marshall |
| Sebastian Cheeks | 32 | LB | 6'2" | 230 | Skokie, IL | R-Fr. | Wisconsin |
| Ryan Coe | 40 | PK | 6'2" | 225 | McDonald, PA | Graduate | Cal |
| Elijah Green | 21 | RB | 5'11" | 210 | Roswell, GA | Junior | Indiana |
| Andre Greene Jr. | 1 | WR | 6'2" | 200 | Richmond, VA | R-Fr. | Virginia |
| Tayon Holloway | 20 | DB | 6'0" | 185 | Virginia Beach, VA | R-Fr. | Louisville |
| D.J. Jones | 26 | DB/RB | 5'10" | 200 | Fayetteville, NC | Graduate | Wyoming |
| Justin Kanyuk | 74 | OL | 6'6" | 315 | Lehigh Valley, PA | R-Fr. | Georgia Southern |
| Cole Maynard | 92 | P | 6'1" | 180 | Mooresville, NC | Sophomore | Western Kentucky |
| Kamari Morales | 88 | TE | 6'2" | 245 | Buck Lake, FL | Graduate | Boston College |
| George Pettaway | 23 | RB | 5'10" | 195 | Suffolk, VA | Sophomore | James Madison |
| Diego Pounds | 61 | OL | 6'5" | 330 | Raleigh, NC | Sophomore | Ole Miss |

#### NFL draft entries

The following Tar Heel players announced plans to enter the 2024 NFL draft and forgo any remaining collegiate eligibility.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year |
| Amari Gainer | 3 | LB | 6'3" | 235 | Tallahassee, FL | Graduate |
| Corey Gaynor | 65 | OL | 6'3" | 305 | Parkland, FL | Graduate |
| Cedric Gray | 33 | LB | 6'2" | 235 | Charlotte, NC | Senior |
| Drake Maye | 10 | QB | 6'4" | 230 | Huntersville, NC | Sophomore |
| Myles Murphy | 8 | DL | 6'4" | 310 | Greensboro, NC | Senior |
| Spencer Rolland | 75 | OL | 6'6" | 315 | Burnsville, MN | Graduate |
| Tez Walker | 9 | WR | 6'2" | 200 | Charlotte, NC | Junior |

### Coaching Changes

Following continued defensive struggles under DC Gene Chizik in the 2023 season, both he and defensive line coach Tim Cross were dismissed after the team's bowl game. Senior Defensive Analyst Ted Monachino was elevated to the defensive line coaching position the same day Cross and Chizik's departures were announced.
Former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins was hired to replace Chizik as defensive coordinator for the 2024 season.
Senior advisor Darrell Moody retired after the season, and was replaced by former Tar Heel and NFL linebacker Brian Simmons in a similar advisory role to head coach Mack Brown. Brown's other senior advisor, Sparky Woods also left the staff in late January.