# 2022 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

The 2022 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tar Heels were led by head coach Mack Brown, who was in the fourth season of his second stint at North Carolina and 14th overall season at the university. The team played their home games at Kenan Stadium.

## Offseason
### Coaching changes

Immediately following the bowl-game loss to South Carolina, head coach Mack Brown stated that changes needed to be made. Speculation then began as to what those changes would be, with suggestions including the possibility of certain coaches being let go. The changes began to crystalize when, on January 7, 2022, co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Jay Bateman and special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt were let go.
The following day, the school announced the hires of Gene Chizik and Charlton Warren to fill the vacant positions on social media. Chizik was named assistant head coach for defense, and Warren co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach. Both Chizik and Warren were on staff in Chapel Hill under former head coach Larry Fedora during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and were instrumental in turning around a defense that had struggled mightily in the 2014 season, leading to a combined 19 wins during their first stints in Chapel Hill.
Running backs coach Larry Porter, who served as assistant STC in 2021, was elevated to special teams coordinator following Dewitt's departure, while continuing his responsibilities with the running back position.
On February 28, 2022, a day before the beginning of the Tar Heels' spring practice, offensive line coach Stacy Searels left the team to take the same position with Georgia.
The next day, as spring practice kicked off, it was reported by The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and other sources that the Tar Heels were targeting Louisville OL coach Jack Bicknell Jr. for the vacant position, though nothing official was announced by either school. Carolina officially announced Bicknell's hiring on March 3, 2022. Bicknell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo had previously worked together when they were at Ole Miss.
Tar Heel football alumnus and NFL safety Da'Norris Searcy returned to the program in the spring, joining the staff as the director of football student athlete development.
Prior to fall camp getting started, Frank Wilson was added to the staff as senior special teams analyst.

### Departures
#### NFL draft

The following Tar Heels were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Tar Heels' four 2022 selections tied for the most draft picks in the ACC.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
| 3 | 67 | Joshua Ezeudu | OL | New York Giants |
| 5 | 144 | Sam Howell | QB | Washington Commanders |
| 5 | 169 | Ty Chandler | RB | Minnesota Vikings |
| 5 | 175 | Marcus McKethan | OL | New York Giants |

##### Undrafted free agent signings

The following players went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, and signed UDFA rookie contracts with NFL teams.
* Tomon Fox (LB) – New York Giants
* Jeremiah Gemmel (LB) – San Francisco 49ers
* Kyler McMichael (DB) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Jordan Tucker (OL) – Pittsburgh Steelers
* Garrett Walston (TE) – San Francisco 49ers

#### Preseason transfers

Fifteen members of the 2021 team elected to enter the NCAA transfer portal prior to the 2022 season.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | New school |
| Eugene Asante | 7 | LB | 6'1" | 220 | Chantilly, VA | Junior | Auburn |
| Khafre Brown | 1 | WR | 6'0" | 190 | Charlotte, NC | Sophomore | South Florida |
| Beau Corrales | 15 | WR | 6'3" | 210 | Georgetown, TX | Graduate† | SMU |
| Kamarro Edmonds | 33 | RB | 5'11" | 235 | Havelock, NC | Freshman | East Carolina |
| Stephen Gosnell | 12 | WR | 6'1" | 205 | Pilot Mountain, NC | Sophomore | Virginia Tech |
| Josh Henderson | 23 | RB | 5'11" | 215 | Princeton, NJ | Junior | Indiana |
| Tyrone Hopper | 42 | LB | 6'4" | 245 | Roswell, GA | Graduate† | Missouri |
| Teagen Lenderink | 96 | PK | 6'1" | 175 | Belmont, MI | Freshman‡ | Liberty |
| Trey Morrison | 4 | DB | 5'9" | 190 | Norcross, GA | Graduate† | Oklahoma |
| Alex Nobles | 97 | LB | 6'2" | 250 | Rocky Mount, NC | Senior‡ | FIU |
| Clyde Pinder | 55 | DL | 6'0" | 300 | Seffner, FL | Sophomore | South Florida |
| Cameron Roseman-Sinclair | 3 | DB | 5'11" | 180 | Charlotte, NC | Sophomore | TBD |
| Emery Simmons | 0 | WR | 6'1" | 195 | Hope Mills, NC | Junior | Indiana |
| Trevion Stevenson | 26 | LB | 6'4" | 240 | Hampton, VA | Freshman | Norfolk State |
| Kristian Varner | 93 | DL | 6'6" | 300 | Hiram, GA | Sophomore | Georgia Southern |
† Elected to use extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA in response to COVID-19.
‡ Walk-on

#### Other Preseason departures

Three players left the team for personal reasons.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | Reason for departure |
| Wisdom Asaboro | 77 | OL | 6'8" | 332 | Warri, Nigeria | Junior | Medical Retirement |
| Quiron Johnson | 69 | OL | 6'2" | 313 | Reidsville, NC | Graduate | Forgoing remaining eligibility |
| Ethan West | 19 | LB | 6'3" | 245 | Richmond, VA | Sophomore | Medical Retirement |

### Additions
#### Incoming transfers

| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Prev. school |
| Lejond Cavazos | 6 | DB | 6'0" | 195 | Sophomore | San Antonio, TX | Ohio State |
| Jacolbe Cowan | 93 | DL | 6'4" | 275 | Sophomore | Charlotte, NC | Ohio State |
| Corey Gaynor | 65 | OL | 6'4" | 308 | Graduate | Parkland, FL | Miami (FL) |
| Spencer Rolland | 75 | OL | 6'6" | 285 | Graduate | Saint Paul, MN | Harvard |
| Noah Taylor | 7 | OLB | 6'5" | 235 | Graduate | Silver Spring, MD | Virginia |

#### Recruiting class

North Carolina signed 17 players in the class of 2022. The Tar Heels' class finished 10th in both the 247Sports and Rivals rankings. Nine signees were ranked in the final ESPN 300 top prospect list.
College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Zach Rice OL | Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Christian Academy | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | Oct 21, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 92 ||||||
| Travis Shaw DL | Greensboro, NC | Grimsley | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 310 lb (140 kg) | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86 ||||||
| Tychaun Chapman WR | Virginia Beach, VA | Landstown | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Dec 19, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 ||||||
| Andre Greene Jr. WR | Richmond, VA | St. Christopher's | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Nov 17, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 ||||||
| George Pettaway RB | Suffolk, VA | Nansemond-Suffolk Academy | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Sep 22, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 ||||||
| Sebastian Cheeks LB | Evanston, IL | Evanston Township | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jul 28, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 ||||||
| Omarion Hampton RB | Clayton, NC | Cleveland | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jul 22, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 ||||||
| Tayon Holloway DB | Virginia Beach, VA | Green Run | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Dec 25, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 81 ||||||
| Malaki Hamrick EDGE | Shelby, NC | Shelby | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 26, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 81 ||||||
| Marcus Allen DB | Marietta, GA | Walton | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jun 30, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 ||||||
| Deuce Caldwell LB | Mauldin, SC | Mauldin | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jun 25, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Beau Atkinson EDGE | Raleigh, NC | Leesville Road | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Jun 16, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Bryson Jennings EDGE | Midlothian, VA | Clover Hill | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Jul 15, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Trevyon Green OL | Colonial Heights, VA | Life Christian Academy | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 340 lb (150 kg) | Jan 21, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Conner Harrell QB | Alabaster, AL | Thompson | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jul 4, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77 ||||||
| Will Hardy DB | Norcross, GA | Greater Atlanta Christian | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Dec 13, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77 ||||||
| Justin Kanyuk OL | Bethel Park, PA | Bethlehem Catholic | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jun 27, 2021 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: #10 247Sports: #10 ||||||
| 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 February 2, 2022. "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022. "247Sports commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022. ||||||

## Preseason
### ACC Media Poll

2022 ACC Football Media Days were held at The Westin Charlotte on July 20 and 21, 2022. At that event, head coaches and player representatives from the 14 ACC teams met with the media and discussed the upcoming season. Following the event, the ACC released a preseason poll on July 26, 2022 which was voted on by members of the sports media.
Coastal Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Points (1st place votes) |
| 1 | Miami | 1,036 (98) |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | 911 (38) |
| 3 | North Carolina | 823 (18) |
| 4 | Virginia | 667 (6) |
| 5 | Virginia Tech | 592 (3) |
| 6 | Georgia Tech | 343 (1) |
| 7 | Duke | 220 |
Overall Champion :
| Rank | Team | Votes |
| 1 | Clemson | 103 |
| 2 | NC State | 38 |
| 3 | Miami | 8 |
| 4 | Wake Forest | 4 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | 3 |
| | Virginia | 3 |
| 7 | Florida State | 2 |
| | North Carolina | 2 |
| 9 | Boston College | 1 |

### Preseason All-ACC Team

North Carolina had one player selected by the media make the 2022 Preseason All-ACC Team.
Josh Downs – WR/Specialist

### Preseason All-Americans

Josh Downs (Sporting News) – 2nd Team (WR)

### Award watch lists

| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Lott Trophy | Tony Grimes | DB | Jr. |
| Maxwell Award | Josh Downs | WR | Jr. |
| Doak Walker Award | British Brooks | RB | GS |
| Biletnikoff Award | Josh Downs | WR | Jr. |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Myles Murphy | DL | Jr. |
| Outland Trophy | Myles Murphy | DL | Jr. |
| Ray Guy Award | Ben Kiernan | P | Sr. |
| Walter Camp Award | Josh Downs | WR | Jr. |
| Bednarik Award | Myles Murphy | DL | Jr. |
| Mannelly Award | Drew Little | LS | Sr. |

## Personnel
### Depth chart

Holiday Bowl Depth Chart
Defense :
* Star
* DeAndre Boykins
* Obi Egbuna
* FS
* Will Hardy
* Gio Biggers
| Will | Mike |
| Cedric Gray | Power Echols |
| Deuce Caldwell | Jake Harkleroad |
* Boundary Safety
* Don Chapman OR Gio Biggers
* CB
* Marcus Allen
* Tayon Holloway OR Dontae Balfour
| DE | DT | DT | DE |
| Kaimon Rucker | Myles Murphy | Kevin Hester Jr. | Jahvaree Ritzie |
| Malaki Hamrick | Kedrick Bingley-Jones | Travis Shaw OR Keeshawn Silver | Jacolbe Cowan |
* CB
* Lejond Cavazos
* Dae Dae Hollins
Offense :
* WR
* Antoine Green
* Gavin Blackwell
* Slot Receiver
* Kobe Paysour
* Doc Chapman
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Asim Richards | Ed Montilus | Corey Gaynor | William Barnes | Spencer Rolland |
| Trevyon Green | Cayden Baker | Brian Anderson | Jonathan Adorno | Zach Rice |
* TE
* Kamari Morales OR John Copenhaver
* Bryson Nesbit
* WR
* JJ Jones
* Andre Greene Jr.
* QB
* Drake Maye
* Conner Harrell
* Key reserves
* Injured Ja'Qurious Conley (S; ACL rehab)
* Season-ending injury British Brooks (RB; lower body) Sebastian Cheeks (LB; shoulder) Raymond Vohasek (DL; upper body) Noah Taylor (DL; lower body) Caleb Hood (RB; upper body) Desmond Evans (DL; upper body)
* Suspension Tomari Fox (DL)
* RB
* Elijah Green
* Omarion Hampton
* DJ Jones OR George Pettaway
* Special teams
* PK Noah Burnette
* P Ben Kiernan
* P Cole Maynard
* KR George Pettaway Will Hardy
* PR George Pettaway Will Hardy
* LS Drew Little
* H Cole Maynard
True Freshman

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 27 | 8:00 p.m. | Florida A&M* | | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCN | W 56–24 | 46,130 |
| September 3 | 12:00 p.m. | at Appalachian State* | | Kidd Brewer StadiumBoone, NC | ESPNU | W 63–61 | 40,168 |
| September 10 | 12:00 p.m. | at Georgia State* | | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPNU | W 35–28 | 17,687 |
| September 24 | 3:30 p.m. | Notre Dame* | | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC (rivalry) | ABC | L 32–45 | 50,500 |
| October 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Virginia Tech | | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCN | W 41–10 | 45,029 |
| October 8 | 4:00 p.m. | at Miami (FL) | | Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FL | ESPN2 | W 27–24 | 53,751 |
| October 15 | 8:00 p.m. | at Duke | | Wallace Wade StadiumDurham, NC (Victory Bell) | ACCN | W 38–35 | 40,004 |
| October 29 | 8:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh | No. 21 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCN | W 42–24 | 50,500 |
| November 5 | 12:00 p.m. | at Virginia | No. 17 | Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) | ACCN | W 31–28 | 44,156 |
| November 12 | 7:30 p.m. | at Wake Forest | No. 15 | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC (rivalry) | ESPN2 | W 36–34 | 31,346 |
| November 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Georgia Tech | No. 13 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ESPN2 | L 17–21 | 44,940 |
| November 25 | 3:30 p.m. | NC State | No. 17 | Kenan StadiumChapel Hill, NC (rivalry) | ABC | L 27–30 $^{2OT}$ | 50,500 |
| December 3 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 9 Clemson | No. 23 | Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (ACC Championship Game) | ABC | L 10–39 | 64,115 |
| December 28 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 15 Oregon* | | Petco ParkSan Diego, CA (Holiday Bowl) | FOX | L 27–28 | 36,242 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 5)All times are in Eastern time |||||||||

## Game summaries
### Florida A&M

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rattlers | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| • Tar Heels | 14 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 56 |
| Statistics | FAMU | UNC |
| First downs | 20 | 29 |
| Plays–yards | 68–335 | 78–608 |
| Rushes–yards | 27–56 | 40–314 |
| Passing yards | 279 | 294 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–39–1 | 29–38–0 |
| Time of possession | 29:01 | 30:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| FAMU | Passing | Jeremy Moussa | 28/38, 279 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| FAMU | Rushing | Terrell Jennings | 10 carries, 39 yards |
| FAMU | Receiving | Xavier Smith | 10 receptions, 78 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 29/37, 294 yards, 5 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 14 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 9 rec, 78 yards, 2 TD |

### At Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Tar Heels | 7 | 21 | 13 | 22 | 63 |
| Mountaineers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 40 | 61 |
| Statistics | UNC | App |
| First downs | 29 | 36 |
| Plays–yards | 71–567 | 79–649 |
| Rushes–yards | 35–215 | 43–288 |
| Passing yards | 352 | 361 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 24–36–0 | 25–36–1 |
| Time of possession | 27:57 | 32:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 24/36, 352 yards, 4 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Caleb Hood | 6 carries, 87 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Kobe Paysour | 8 receptions, 92 yards, TD |
| App State | Passing | Chase Brice | 25/36, 361 yards, 6 TD, INT |
| App State | Rushing | Nate Noel | 14 carries, 116 yards, 2 TD |
| App State | Receiving | Dashaun Davis | 6 receptions, 72 yards, TD |

### At Georgia State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Tar Heels | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Panthers | 3 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 28 |
| Statistics | UNC | GSU |
| First downs | 23 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 68–467 | 78–421 |
| Rushes–yards | 44–183 | 54–235 |
| Passing yards | 284 | 186 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 19–24–1 | 16–24–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:22 | 31:38 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 19/24, 284 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Omarion Hampton | 16 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Kobe Paysour | 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 16/24, 186 yards, 3 TD |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 18 carries, 79 yards |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Robert Lewis | 7 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TD |
North Carolina was the first Power Five team to play a road game at Georgia State.

### Notre Dame

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Fighting Irish | 0 | 24 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
| Tar Heels | 7 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 32 |
| Statistics | ND | UNC |
| First downs | 35 | 18 |
| Plays–yards | 85–576 | 60–367 |
| Rushes–yards | 51–287 | 28–66 |
| Passing yards | 289 | 301 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 24–34–0 | 17–32–0 |
| Time of possession | 38:13 | 21:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Notre Dame | Passing | Drew Pyne | 24/34, 289 yards, 3 TD |
| Notre Dame | Rushing | Audric Estimé | 17 carries, 134 yards, 2 TD |
| Notre Dame | Receiving | Michael Mayer | 7 receptions, 88 yards, TD |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 17/32, 301 yards, 5 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Drake Maye | 13 carries, 36 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Antoine Green | 3 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD |

### Virginia Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Hokies | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • Tar Heels | 7 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 41 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -9 | 57 |
| Statistics | VT | UNC |
| First downs | 14 | 24 |
| Plays–yards | 70–273 | 73–527 |
| Rushes–yards | 35–99 | 32–160 |
| Passing yards | 174 | 367 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 20–35–1 | 27–41–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:43 | 28:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Virginia Tech | Passing | Grant Wells | 16/26, 139 yards, INT |
| Virginia Tech | Rushing | Keshawn King | 9 carries, 52 yards |
| Virginia Tech | Receiving | Kaleb Smith | 3 receptions, 49 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 26/36, 363 yards, 3 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Drake Maye | 13 carries, 73 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 8 receptions, 120 yards |

### At Miami (FL)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Tar Heels | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
| Hurricanes | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| Miami -3.5 | 66 |
| Statistics | UNC | Miami |
| First downs | 22 | 29 |
| Plays–yards | 71–470 | 81–538 |
| Rushes–yards | 43–161 | 24–42 |
| Passing yards | 309 | 496 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 19–28–2 | 42–57–1 |
| Time of possession | 31:14 | 28:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 19/28, 309 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Caleb Hood | 13 carries, 74 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | JJ Jones | 2 receptions, 80 yards, TD |
| Miami | Passing | Tyler Van Dyke | 42/57, 496 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Miami | Rushing | Henry Parrish Jr. | 11 carries, 19 yards |
| Miami | Receiving | Will Mallory | 8 receptions, 115 yards |

### At Duke

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Tar Heels | 10 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| Blue Devils | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -6.5 | 67.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | Duke |
| First downs | 30 | 27 |
| Plays–yards | 74–536 | 73–542 |
| Rushes–yards | 35–156 | 42–297 |
| Passing yards | 380 | 245 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–39–0 | 20–31–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:32 | 35:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 28/38, 380 yards, 3 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Drake Maye | 18 carries, 70 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 9 receptions, 126 yards |
| Duke | Passing | Riley Leonard | 20/31, 245 yards, TD, INT |
| Duke | Rushing | Riley Leonard | 14 carries, 130 yards, TD |
| Duke | Receiving | Jalon Calhoun | 6 receptions, 55 yards |

### Pittsburgh

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| • No. 21 Tar Heels | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 42 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -3.0 | 64.5 |
| Statistics | Pitt | UNC |
| First downs | 14 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 61–367 | 75–474 |
| Rushes–yards | 30–131 | 30–86 |
| Passing yards | 236 | 388 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 14–31–0 | 34–45–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:32 | 31:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Pittsburgh | Passing | Kedon Slovis | 14/31, 236 yards |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing | Israel Abanikanda | 26 carries, 127 yards, 3 TD |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving | Jared Wayne | 7 receptions, 161 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 34/44, 388 yards, 5 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Drake Maye | 14 carries, 61 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Antoine Green | 10 receptions, 180 yards, 2 TD |

### At Virginia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 17 Tar Heels | 3 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
| Cavaliers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -7.5 | 59.5 |
| Statistics | UNC | UVA |
| First downs | 29 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 77–455 | 74–418 |
| Rushes–yards | 40–162 | 39–186 |
| Passing yards | 293 | 232 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 26–37–0 | 17–35–1 |
| Time of possession | 33:38 | 26:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 26/37, 293 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Elijah Green | 22 carries, 91 yards, TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 15 receptions, 166 yards, TD |
| Virginia | Passing | Brennan Armstrong | 17/35, 232 yards, INT |
| Virginia | Rushing | Mike Hollins | 16 carries, 75 yards |
| Virginia | Receiving | Sackett Wood Jr. | 6 receptions, 94 yards |

### At Wake Forest

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 15 Tar Heels | 14 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 36 |
| Demon Deacons | 7 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| WF -4.5 | 77 |
| Statistics | UNC | WF |
| First downs | 30 | 22 |
| Plays–yards | 87–584 | 72–490 |
| Rushes–yards | 38–136 | 41–170 |
| Passing yards | 448 | 320 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 31–49–0 | 18–31–1 |
| Time of possession | 33:02 | 26:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 31/49, 448 yards, 3 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Drake Maye | 19 carries, 71 yards, TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 11 receptions, 154 yards, 3 TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 18/31, 320 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 16 carries, 81 yards |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Taylor Morin | 5 receptions, 106 yards, TD |

### Georgia Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Yellow Jackets | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| No. 13 Tar Heels | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC -21 | 63.5 |
| Statistics | GT | UNC |
| First downs | 19 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 72–373 | 63–365 |
| Rushes–yards | 49–186 | 33–163 |
| Passing yards | 187 | 202 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–23–1 | 16–30–1 |
| Time of possession | 34:27 | 25:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Zach Gibson | 13/18, 174 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Hassan Hall | 14 carries, 47 yards, TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Malik Rutherford | 6 receptions, 68 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 16/30, 202 yards, INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Elijah Green | 10 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Bryson Nesbit | 4 receptions, 85 yards |

### NC State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| • Wolfpack | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 30 |
| No. 17 Tar Heels | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC –6.5 | 56.5 |
| Statistics | NCSU | UNC |
| First downs | 17 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 66–330 | 89–351 |
| Rushes–yards | 25–59 | 40–118 |
| Passing yards | 271 | 233 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 27–41–0 | 29–49–1 |
| Time of possession | 25:48 | 34:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Ben Finley | 27/40, 271 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Michael Allen | 12 carries, 53 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Devin Carter | 6 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 29/49, 233 yards, TD, INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Elijah Green | 24 carries, 83 yards, TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Antoine Green | 8 receptions, 67 yards, TD |

### Vs. No. 9 Clemson (ACC Championship game)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 9 Tigers | 14 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 39 |
| No. 23 Tar Heels | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CLEM -7.5 | 63.5 |
| Statistics | CU | UNC |
| First downs | 17 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 56-385 | 79-384 |
| Rushes–yards | 21-68 | 36-111 |
| Passing yards | 317 | 273 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28-35-0 | 27-43-2 |
| Time of possession | 24:59 | 35:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Clemson | Passing | Cade Klubnik | 20/24, 279 yards, TD |
| Clemson | Rushing | Cade Klubnik | 7 carries, 30 yards, TD |
| Clemson | Receiving | Cole Turner | 3 receptions, 101 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 26/42, 268 yards, 2 INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Elijah Green | 21 carries, 65 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 11 receptions, 100 yards |

### Vs. No. 15 Oregon (Holiday Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 15 Ducks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Tar Heels | 7 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UO -14.5 | 63.5 |
| Statistics | Oregon | North Carolina |
| First downs | 22 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 62–414 | 69–335 |
| Rushes–yards | 32–209 | 34–129 |
| Passing yards | 205 | 206 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 23–30–1 | 18–35–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:11 | 32:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Oregon | Passing | Bo Nix | 23/30, 205 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Oregon | Rushing | Bucky Irving | 13 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD |
| Oregon | Receiving | Terrance Ferguson | 5 receptions, 84 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Drake Maye | 18/35, 206 yards, 3 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Elijah Green | 17 carries, 50 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Kobe Paysour | 7 receptions, 98 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 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 24 | RV | RV |
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | RV | 25 | 22 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 22 | 25 | RV |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 17 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 23 | — | Not released |

## After the season
### All-ACC Selections
#### 1st Team

* Drake Maye (QB)
* Josh Downs (WR)
* Cedric Gray (LB)

#### 2nd Team

* Josh Downs (AP)
* Storm Duck (DB)

#### 3rd Team

* Antoine Green (WR)
* Asim Richards (OL)
* Ben Kiernan (P)

#### Honorable Mention

* Bryson Nesbit (TE)
* Corey Gaynor (OL)
* Power Echols (LB)

### All-Americans

* Josh Downs (FWAA Second-Team)
* Cedric Gray (Sporting News Second-Team)

### Individual awards

Drake Maye
* ACC Player of the Year
* ACC Offensive Player of the Year
* ACC Rookie of the Year
* ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year
* AP ACC Offensive Player of the Year
* Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year
Tylee Craft
* Disney Spirit Award

### Coaching Changes

Following the ACC Championship Game multiple outlets reported on December 7, 2022 that offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Phil Longo was accepting the same job at Wisconsin. Offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. was reported to follow Longo to Madison.
On December 14, 2022, the Tar Heels made their first move to fill the vacancies, hiring Randy Clements as their new offensive line coach. They later hired Chip Lindsey to fill the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach vacancy.

### Departures
#### Transfer Portal Entries

In August 2022, the NCAA issued updated guidance for players seeking to transfer. One update to the policy was the institution of transfer windows, with entry periods designated by when specific seasons end (previously players could enter at their discretion any time before the portal closed). In accordance with the new guidance, the 45-day postseason transfer period for football opened on December 5, 2022, and will close in January 2023. A second transfer window will open in May 2023, following the conclusion of spring practices.
The following members of the 2022 Tar Heel team entered the NCAA transfer portal during the postseason transfer period. The player's class is reflective of internal listing on the UNC roster.
| 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 |
| 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 | Penn State |
| Tony Grimes | 1 | DB | 6'0" | 195 | Virginia Beach, VA | Junior | Texas A&M |
| Kendall Karr | 82 | TE | 6'3" | 250 | Belmont, NC | Sophomore | Coastal Carolina |
| Cam'Ron Kelly | 9 | DB | 6'1" | 210 | Chesapeake, VA | Senior | Virginia |
| 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 |
| Jahlil Taylor | 52 | DL | 6'0" | 295 | Vienna, GA | Senior | ODU |

#### NFL Draft Entries

The following players declared for the 2023 NFL draft. Some chose to opt out of the Holiday Bowl.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | Opt-Out |
| Josh Downs | 11 | WR | 5'10" | 175 | Suwanee, GA | Junior | Yes |
| Antoine Green | 3 | WR | 6'2" | 200 | Rockledge, FL | Senior | No |
| Asim Richards | 72 | OL | 6'5" | 315 | Philadelphia, PA | Senior | No |