An already troubling positional group within the UNC football program is set to lose some major depth for 2022. Junior offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu announced Monday he would be forgoing his final year of eligibility and entering the NFL Draft.

“My time here has been incredible,” Ezeudu said in his announcement. “And you all have made this a place I will forever call home. I am truly grateful to be a Tar Heel.”

Ezeudu is now the third UNC starter on the offensive line to leave school since the end of the 2021 season. Senior Jordan Tucker announced previously the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against South Carolina would be his last game as a Tar Heel, while senior Marcus McKethan announced his decision to leave Sunday. Both Tucker and McKethan had an additional season of eligibility at their disposal due to the NCAA’s COVID policies for student-athletes, but decided to turn pro.

UNC is now down to just two starters from its 2021 offensive line who are still with the program: junior Asim Richards and graduate student Quiron Johnson, who filled in for Brian Anderson at the center position for much of the 2021 season. Anderson, who has not yet announced whether he will be returning to Chapel Hill, started 11 of 12 games for Carolina at center in the 2020 season and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors. With Anderson absent for much of 2021, UNC’s offensive line struggled as a whole, allowing an ACC-worst 49 sacks this season.

Carolina will also add Miami offensive lineman Corey Gaynor from the transfer portal for 2022. Gaynor, who will be using his last year of eligibility, is also experienced at center and was the Hurricanes’ team captain in 2020.

The 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 28 through April 30 in Las Vegas.

 

Featured image via 247 Sports

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
South Carolina Runs Past UNC in Duke's Mayo Bowl
No mayonnaise bath for Mack Brown. The veteran head coach suffered one last humbling defeat in the 2021 season, as his Tar Heels came out flat against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and never recovered. The 38-21 loss sent UNC, who finishes the year 6-7, to its first losing season under […]
UNC Football Hoping to End 2021 On a High Note in Duke's Mayo Bowl
The Queen City will host a border war Thursday, with the two Carolinas fighting for regional supremacy in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. This will be the 59th all-time meeting between North and South Carolina in football, but it’s the first time the Tar Heels and Gamecocks have played in the postseason. Though UNC’s […]
Mondays With Mack: National Signing Day and Preparing for the Duke's Mayo Bowl
UNC football head coach Mack Brown joined Aaron Keck this morning for “Mondays with Mack,” presented by Chapel Hill Tire. The Tar Heels are busy with preparations for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game with South Carolina on December 30, but Brown still made time this month to sign a historic 2022 recruiting class, one which […]
UNC Football Receives Bid to Duke's Mayo Bowl; Will Face South Carolina
For the third consecutive year under head coach Mack Brown, the UNC football team is going bowling. The Tar Heels found out their postseason destination Sunday, and it’s very close to home. Carolina will play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, where they will face South Carolina. Both the Tar Heels and Gamecocks finished […]
UNC Football Falls to West Virginia in Duke's Mayo Bowl
A depleted Tar Heel roster couldn’t keep up with West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Wednesday night, as the Mountaineers dealt Carolina a 30-10 loss to end the 2023 season. It’s UNC’s fourth straight loss in a bowl game. Among the UNC stars absent from Charlotte were quarterback Drake Maye, linebacker Cedric Gray, […]
'This Isn't a Field Trip': UNC Football Fired Up for Duke's Mayo Bowl
By the time UNC takes the field in Bank of America Stadium Wednesday night, it will have been more than a month since its last game.
UNC LB Cedric Gray Declares for NFL Draft, Will Skip Bowl Game
Cedric Gray has his eyes on the pros. The two-time All-ACC linebacker and leading tackler for the Tar Heels officially declared for the NFL Draft on Monday afternoon. He will not play in Carolina’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl matchup with West Virginia on December 27. Within you lies the power to create and manifest the life […]
UNC Football to Face West Virginia in Duke's Mayo Bowl
The Tar Heels will end the season where it started three months ago. Carolina earned a bid to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, where it will face West Virginia. The game is scheduled for December 27. It’s finally official, @UNCFootball and @WVUfootball are joining the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. We can’t wait to see you […]
Jay Bateman Out as UNC Football Defensive Coordinator
Following a disappointing 6-7 season, the first dominos within UNC head coach Mack Brown’s coaching staff have fallen. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will not return to the team next season, as first reported by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. SOURCE: UNC and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman are parting ways. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 7, […]
UNC OL Joshua Ezeudu Declares for NFL Draft; Third Offensive Lineman to Leave School
An already troubling positional group within the UNC football program is set to lose some major depth for 2022. Junior offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu announced Monday he would be forgoing his final year of eligibility and entering the NFL Draft. I am beyond blessed and thank God for everything he has done in my life. […]
›