DT Josh Harris a very nice pickup for Tar Heels in transfer portal, and Coach Collins raved about entire interior defensive line: "Watching the way they defended the run, it was impressive. There were some clips that were clinic tapes on how to play big-time college football."

Confident at 99.9 percent that Aiden Banfield is the first ever Carolina Football offensive lineman to start the season opener as a true freshman. Close but not quite qualifying: Harris Barton, Brian Blados, Pat Crowley, Jeff Saturday, Jason Brown and James Hurst.

… Several guys started four years but were red-shirted. Hurst started as a true freshman in 2010 but did not start the opener vs. LSU. And old heads remember a true freshman starting in 1975 who later transferred to Navy but likely not the W&M opener.

Brooks, Holcomb and Hollins were walk-ons. Gray and Williams had zero D1 interest beyond Tar Heels. Surratt recruited as QB.

For the 98th year, Football in a Forest. Carolina Football UNC Tar Heels

Upping this to 100 percent. Ventured into the rabbit hole with media guides dating to 1972 (first year of frosh eligibility), newspaper archives, multiple outreaches to former players, coaches and stats/record gurus. Aiden Banfield for certain has made history. 👊

College teams this fall have up to 18 tablets split between booth and sideline (in the ACC they are Apple iPads). With access to three camera feeds, coaches have immediate access to plays on their side of the ball.

Early still, but when was the last time Carolina Football ranked No. 16 in the nation in rushing defense? Tar Heels allowing 64 yards per game. Offense checks in at No. 34 rushing offense at 208. Amare Campbell with the stop here in 38-20 win over Charlotte. (Jeff Camarati @Goheels)

... Davion “Bullet” Gause watched Javonte/Micheal chop up Miami in 2020 and decided he wanted to play for Carolina Football. Says Mack: “He is not afraid of anything. He's tough, mature, smart. He handles himself well.” Shown here leaping toward 105 yds rushing. (Robert Willett/N&O)

Two nifty pieces of trickeration: Nate McCollum on 37-yard reverse for first-quarter TD and Connor Harrell to Caleb Hood to Kobe Paysour and finally downfield Harrell to Christian Hamilton for third-quarter 58-yard TD.

Homecoming this Saturday for Mook (Erik Highsmith). He snared 166 passes for 2K-plus yds & 14 TDs as a Carolina Football receiver from 2009-12. He served 18 months in the Army, then entered the coaching business and now is WR coach at NCCU.

British Brooks and the Houston Texans? Meh. If you knew, you knew. goheels.com/news/2023/10/5…

Thomas Smith, NFL Draftee 1993; David Thornton 2002; Mack Hollins 2017; Cole Holcomb 2019. Who else?

Says @ConnerHarrell2: "I absolutely love the tablets. You come to the sideline and wonder, what'd I miss? Was someone open? .... Now we can see it all." The story behind the Geek Squad. goheels.com/news/2024/9/12…

.Jahvaree “J5” Ritzie quite candid in interview with Carolina Insider Pod on impact the Collins/Monachino staff additions have made: "It’s been a complete change that’s allowed the D-line to be active and be the freaks of nature like we were meant to be." (N&O Photo)

… Upon introduction, Ritzie said to hosts Jones & Adam: “It’s something you never think you’ll do in your life and now that I’m here I’m just thankful to God.” Did he mean leading the nation in sacks or being a @Carolina_pod guest?

Good morning from Chapel Hill, where Carolina Football is delighted to be 3-0 behind 162 yards passing by Jacolby Criswell, six catches by TE John Copenhaver and eight stops and an interception by safety Kaleb Cost. (@goheels photos)

It's behind a paywall but good story in The Wall Street Journal about the evolution of the general manager post in college football, with Tar Heels' Patrick Suddes on the leading edge of the position's evolution over the last decade. wsj.com/sports/footbal…

Sadly, I just learned that Donnell Thompson--- our beloved DE from the '80s---has passed away. This man was successful in football, but even more so in the business world following his retirement. Smart, wise---a great mentor for young players. Rest in peace, Donnell🙏❤️

Late '70s Carolina Football players commiserating today upon learning of the death of the great Donnell Thompson, a starter on a vaunted D-line in 1980 that included LT. He was a 1st-round pick by the Colts and enjoyed a long NFL career and later was quite successful in business. RIP.