By R.L. Bynum
With quarterback Drake Maye and linebacker Cedric Gray announcing Monday that they are joining wide receiver Tez Walker in entering the NFL draft and skipping the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, how many other Tar Heels won’t play against West Virginia?
Also entering the NFL draft and skipping the game is offensive lineman Corey Gaynor. Defensive lineman Myles Murphy is entering the draft but will play in the 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27 game at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.
“We want to thank these young men for all they’ve contributed to Carolina football during their times with the program,” UNC coach Mack Brown said. “It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow and flourish both on the field and off. We wish them nothing but the best and look forward to watching them represent UNC as they move on to the next chapters of their careers.”
Two players who have entered the transfer portal but will play in the bowl game are quarterback Jefferson Boaz and defensive back D.J. Jones. Conner Harrell figures to start at quarterback in the bowl game.
Five players will miss the game because of injuries: tight end John Copenhaver, defensive back Will Hardy, defensive back Alijah Huzzie, tight end Bryson Nesbit and offensive lineman Zach Rice. Hardy has an upper-body injury, and the others have lower-body injuries.
UNC schedule
| Month/ date | Opponent/event | 2023 record | UNC record in series |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | |||
| 20 | Spring game, 3 p.m. | — | — |
| August | |||
| 29 (Thurs.) | at Minnesota | 6–7 | 1–0 |
| September | |||
| 7 | Charlotte | 3–9 | 0–0 |
| 14 | N.C. Central | 9–3 | 0–0 |
| 21 | James Madison | 11–2 | 3–0 |
| 28 | at Duke | 8–5 | 65–40–4 |
| October | |||
| 5 | Pittsburgh | 3–9 | 12–5 |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | 7–6 | 22–33–3 |
| 26 | at Virginia | 3–9 | 66–58–4 |
| November | |||
| 2 | at Florida State | 13–1 | 3–17–1 |
| 16 | Wake Forest | 4–8 | 72–36–2 |
| 23 | at Boston College | 7–6 | 6–2 |
| 30 | N.C. State | 9–4 | 68–39–6 |
Photo via @UNCFootball
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