I look forward to writing these previews. I really enjoy looking at (little) film of the opponents and learning about their players, looking at the stats and just trying to get myself up to speed on the Tigers football team’s upcoming oppents.
It’s been tough the last few weeks to do the previews. Motivation has been lacking some.
I have been called a “sunshine pumper” for most of my Clemson fandom. I am a child of the Tommy West/Tommy Bowden eras before Dabo. I never knew Clemson could get to the heights it had during most of the entirety of Coach Swinney’s tenure.
I will never be a “doom and gloomer” but the first few games, including the lightning delays, have been hard to watch. But watch I will. And watch WE will. And pull for our Tigers to get out of this rut and finish the season with some sense of accomplishment.
All of that to say: Here is a look at everything you will need to know about the Tiger’s Week 6 Opponent, the North Carolina Tar Heels:
North Carolina Tar Heels
School Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Time: Noon; ESPN
2025 Record – 2-2; (0-0 ACC)
First Four Games: Loss vs. TCU – 48-14
Win vs. Charlotte – 20-6
Win vs. Richmond – 41-6
Loss vs. UCF – 34-9
Head Coach: Bill Belichick – 1st Season – 2-2 Overall at North Carolina
For the second time ever, a Super Bowl winning coach will face off against a CFB National Championship winning coach will face off. The NFL coaching legend, Belichick brings his talents to Chapel Hill to mixed results to start the year. He was being touted as the greatest college coach ever by a few talking heads after their first drive against TCU before getting completely humbled at home. But Belichick is still Belichick. However, Tom Brady and Gronk are not walking through the doors of Chapel Hill. With 70 new players on the roster, this first year may be a work in progress for the legend.
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Freddie Kitchens – 1st year as OC – Previous: Interim HC North Carolina
Coach Kitchens’ early UNC offense mixes brute-force running schemes with tentative downfield shots, yet it tilts too safe. He’s seemingly over-relying (if that’s an actual word) on quick throws and short gains. His style so far shows a conservative, bend-but-don’t-break mindset that fights for yards but rarely challenges defenses.
North Carolina has averaged 21 points their first four games of the season with 113.5 yards rushing per game (112th; Clemson is 111th) and 150 yards through the air (T-122nd) for an total of 263.5 yards of offense per game through four games (132nd)
Here is a look at the projected starters for the North Carolina Tar Heels from their released depth chart as well as their 2025 statistics through four games (QB Gio Lopez is still listed as the starter while being listed as questionable on the injury report):
| Quarterback | Gio Lopez | RS Sophomore | #7 | 33 att. 69 yds, TD | 42-67 62.6%; 430 yds. 3 TDs, 3 Ints |
| Running Back | Demon June | Freshman | #35 | 33 att. 250 yds, TD | 5 catches, 27 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Chris Culliver | Junior | #3 | 5 catches, 104 yds, TD | |
| Wide Receiver | Jordan Shipp | Sophomore | #1 | 1 att. 1 yd | 13 catches, 193 yds, 2 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Javarius Green | RS Freshman | #9 | 6 catches, 88 yds | |
| Tight End | Connor Cox | RS Sophomore | #87 | ||
| Left Tackle | William Boone | RS Junior | #71 | ||
| Left Guard | Aidan Banfield | Sophomore | #68 | ||
| Center | Christo Kelly | RS Senior | #53 | ||
| Right Guard | Daniel King | RS Senior | #52 | ||
| Right Tackle | Jakai Moore | RS Senior | #55 | ||
| ***Quarterback | Max Johnson | Senior | #14 | 20-30 66.7%; 170 yds, 2 TDs |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Belichick – 1st Year – Previous: Washington DC
Coach Belichick’s defense so far is built on red-zone rigidity and fundamental tackling. He clamps down inside the 20, but it’s still soft to explosive plays and inconsistent on third down.
The North Carolina defense has given up 22.8 points through the first four weeks. They have given up an average of 136.5 yards on the ground (64th) and 208 yards through the air. The Tar Heels are giving up a total of 344.5 yards thus far (59th).
Here is a look at the projected starters for North Carolina on defense along with stats from the their first four weeks:
| Defensive End | Smith Vilbert | RS Senior | #8 | 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL |
| Defensive Tackle | D’Antre Robinson | RS Freshman | #6 | 12 tackles, TFL |
| Defensive Tackle | Leroy Jackson | RS Freshman | #91 | 12 tackles |
| Middle Linebacker | Andrew Simpson | RS Senior | #2 | 28 tackles, 4 TFLs, sack |
| Weakside Linebacker | Khmori House | Sophomore | #7 | 22 tackles, 1.5 TFL, |
| Cornerback | Thaddeus Dixon | RS Senior | #1 | 12 tackles, TFL |
| Safety | Gavin Gibson | RS Senior | #5 | 18 tackles, TFL |
| Safety | Will Hardy | Senior | #31 | 15 tackles, TFL |
| Nickelback | Kaleb Cost | Junior | #21 | 20 tackles, TFL, Int |
| Cornerback | Marcus Allen | Senior | #29 | 10 tackles, TFL |
Special Teams
Here is a list of the specialists for the Tar Heels along with statistics from the 2025 Season:
| Kicker | Rece Verhoff | Senior | #90 | 5-5; long of 49 yds |
| Punter | Tom Maginness | Senior | #96 | 40.5 yd avg., long of 55 yds |
| Punt Returner | Will Hardy | Senior | #31 | 2 att., long of 22 yds |
| Kick Returner | Chris Culliver | Junior | #3 | 5 att. 20.4 avg., long of 23 yds |
Turnovers
The Tar Heels are even (0) in turnover margin so far, having thrown 4 interceptions and have picked off 2 opponent passes. They have recovered 4 fumble so far while losing 2 fumbles to their first four opponents.
Summary
This North Carolina Tar Heels, like our Tigers were expected to be a fun, high-scoring team this season. Both teams have been somewhat disappointing.
This is a big game for Clemson to right the ship and start their trek to a commendable season.
I’m ready to get excited again for our Tigers. Let’s do this!
Let’s go. Spot the ball!
Go Tigers!
