By R.L. Bynum
NFL training camps are opening with no shortage of compelling storylines involving former Tar Heels — from veterans switching teams to rookies fighting for roster spots, UNC alums being new teammates and rookie running back Omarion Hampton getting first-team reps.
Two notable offseason moves were wide receiver Dyami Brown joining the Jacksonville Jaguars after four seasons in Washington, and Javonte Williams becoming a Dallas Cowboy after four seasons in Denver. Both are expected to start.
Two of nine rookie former Tar Heels are joining Brown on the Jags: tight end John Copenhaver and wide receiver J.J. Jones. Among Williams’ blockers in Dallas will be third-year tackle Asim Richards.
There are 32 former UNC players in NFL training camps. (Scroll down for the full list of Tar Heels in training camps.)
The Atlanta Falcons and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday became the final teams to open camp.
The preseason begins on Thursday, July 31, with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, featuring Hampton’s Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions (8 p.m., NBC). Most teams play their first exhibition games Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10.
The regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 4, with Williams’ Dallas Cowboys visiting the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (8:20, NBC).
Quarterback Drake Maye, entering his second season with the New England Patriots after a sensational rookie season, will now be throwing to another Tar Heel, wide receiver Mack Hollins, who’s was expected to start after spending last season with the Buffalo Bills. Hollins begins camp on the physically unable to perform list, though, with an undisclosed injury.
Other Tar Heels on the move:
- Sam Howell, now with the Minnesota Vikings, his third team, is expected to back up J.J. McCarthy after a season behind Geno Smith in Seattle. He’ll join a former UNC teammate, running back Ty Chandler, who enters his fourth season in Minnesota.
- Chazz Surratt is the third-string middle linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers after playing his first four seasons with the New York Jets.
- Veteran tackle Charlie Heck joins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after splitting last season between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals. This marks his sixth NFL season and fourth team.
Seven former UNC players are expected to start. The others are Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, Miami Dolphins cornerback Storm Duck and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes.
It’s a big comeback season for two UNC alums who suffered serious injuries:
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb missed all of last season recovering from a left knee injury suffered in Week 9 of the 2023 season, and is listed as the second-string inside linebacker.
- Houston Texans running back British Brooks returns from a torn meniscus injury suffered in Week 5 last year that ended his rookie season. It’s unclear where he’ll fall on the depth chart, though.
Hampton (top photo) entered Chargers training camp as the backup to Najee Harris, but the free-agent signee is on the non-football injury list after suffering an eye injury in a fireworks accident on July 4.
The likely action that Hampton will get during the preseason will only bolster the expectation that he’ll be a big part of the Chargers’ offense, regardless of when Harris plays.
“He’s been attacking it, hitting it hard,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh told chargers.com of Hampton before camp opened. “Still got some days before we’re in pads but I think he’s going to be even better in pads. “He’s well trained and ready to roll.”
Having the best chance at earning roster spots among the eight other rookie former UNC players are Chicago Bears linebacker Power Echols (listed as third string), Jones (fourth string) and Los Angeles Rams center Willie Lampkin (fourth string).
Likely fighting to earn roster spots will be Copenhaver, Houston Texans cornerback Alijah Huzzie, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate McCollum, New England Patriots defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kaimon Rucker.
Former UNC players waived last spring were wide receiver Antoine Green by the Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Tomari Fox by the Los Angeles Raiders.
Tar Heels in NFL training camps
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —10 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday at Denver, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 starts, 67 carries, 221 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 28 catches on 30targets, 232 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 13 games, 8 starts, 47 catches, 406 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 5 punt returns, 55 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 8:15 Monday vs. San Francisco, ABC, ESPN
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 82 tackles, 57 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — No. 2 running back
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts, 94 carries, 431 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 23 catches, 151 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Houston Texans, NFL Network
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 15 games, 1 tackle; 694 offensive snaps, 58 special-teams snaps
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 11 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 4:25 Sunday at Detroit, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 10 starts, 39 catches, 481 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday at Baltimore, NBC
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 16 — 5 p.m. Saturday at Washington, Fox
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday at Arizona, Fox
Week 17 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Reams, ESPN
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 290 of 409, 3,567 (8.7 average; 72 longest), 70.9%, 23 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 43 sacks (194 yards in losses), 109.1 passer rating; 85 carries, 362 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday at Baltimore, NBC
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 8 games, 2 startes, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday vs. New England, NBC
Week 17 — 8 p.m. Saturday at Green Bay, Peacock
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 230 carries, 1,113 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 10 touchdowns; 33 catches, 128 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Thursday at Washington, Netflix
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @chargers
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