With the departure of Landon Turner to the NFL, the UNC offensive line is in need of a new leader.

Enter Jon Heck.

A member of the All-ACC second team in 2015, Heck was recognized last week as one of 70 players to watch for this year’s Outland Trophy–the award given to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.

During his first three years as a Tar Heel, Heck has started 38 games–including all 14 last season.

Although he has been known in recent years as more of a pass-blocking specialist, the numbers show Heck’s made great strides in the run department as well.

His partnership with fellow veterans Turner and center Lucas Crowley helped UNC clear the way for a much-improved ground attack in 2015.

Elijah Hood ran for over 1,400 yards out of the backfield, while quarterback Marquise Williams nearly tacked on another 1,000.

Heck’s contributions to the Tar Heels may not be pretty, but they are much-needed–especially if the team wants to continue its winning ways again in 2016.

Of the 70 players nominated for the Outland Trophy, Heck is one of just 22 offensive tackles on the list.

By November, only six or seven semifinalists will remain in contention for the honor–before the final three candidates are chosen to attend the Home Depot College Football Awards in Atlanta on Dec. 8.

Related Stories
‹
Bentley Spain Among Outland Trophy Watch List Candidates
UNC senior offensive tackle Bentley Spain was among the candidates on the annual Outland Trophy Watch List, which was released on Thursday. The award–which has recognized the top interior lineman in college football for the last 71 years–lists 81 candidates on its initial watch list. Players from any spot on the offensive line, as well […]
UNC Football Single Game Tickets Go On Sale Monday
Beginning on Monday at 9 a.m., single-game UNC football tickets for the 2021 season will be available to the general public. Season tickets have already sold out according to the school, as the Tar Heels look to meet the high expectations awaiting them for the upcoming campaign. Limited quantities are available, with pricing starting at […]
Sam Howell Selected to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Preseason accolades continue to roll in for UNC junior quarterback Sam Howell, who was named earlier this week to the watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award. Howell was one of 30 players on this year’s watch list for an award which has been presented annually to the top quarterback in the country since 1981. […]
Ty Chandler Selected to Watch List for Doak Walker Award
Ahead of his first year with the Tar Heels, Tennessee running back transfer Ty Chandler was named Wednesday to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award. The award is presented the top running back in college football. Chandler arrives in Chapel Hill ranked fifth in Tennessee history with 3,245 all-purpose yards — 2,015 of […]
Former UNC Kicker Noah Ruggles Transferring to Ohio State
Through a post on Instagram earlier this week, former UNC kicker Noah Ruggles announced he has accepted a scholarship offer to take over the kicking position at Ohio State. Ruggles will join the Buckeyes as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining — filling a desperate need on special teams for one of […]
Kick-Off Times and TV Info Revealed for Five UNC Football Games
The UNC football program revealed Thursday that it has received the game times and TV information for five games in the upcoming 2021 season. First is the season opener in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech, which will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3 and air on ESPN. The Tar Heels then move on […]
UNC Agrees to Home-and-Home Football Series With South Carolina
UNC announced Monday that it has agreed to a home-and-home football series against South Carolina, with the games set to take place during the 2028 and 2029 seasons. The first of the two games will happen in Columbia, SC on Sept. 2, 2028. South Carolina will then make the return trip to Kenan Stadium for […]
New York Jets Select Michael Carter In Fourth Round of NFL Draft
Day Three of this year’s NFL Draft began very similar to Day Two, with a Tar Heel running back taken off the board early–as the New York Jets selected Michael Carter with the second pick of the afternoon and 107th overall. Carter’s partner in the UNC backfield last season, Javonte Williams, was taken with the […]
Javonte Williams Selected No. 35 in NFL Draft by Denver
UNC junior running back Javonte Williams became the first Tar Heel off the board in this year’s NFL Draft on Friday night, as the Denver Broncos selected him in the second round with the No. 35 overall pick. Williams ran for 2,297 yards and 29 touchdowns during his three years at UNC, including setting a […]
Washington Football Team Selects Dyami Brown in Third Round of NFL Draft
In the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Washington Football Team used the 82nd overall pick on UNC junior wide receiver Dyami Brown. Brown spent each of the last two seasons as the top deep threat for UNC quarterback Sam Howell, and became the first UNC receiver to ever post back-to-back seasons of […]
›