What does a college football team play for anyway?
Coaches like to say that during the season, it’s all about the team. After the season, it’s all about the players. But what if you are caught in between like the Orange Bowl-bound Tar Heels?
UNC opened as a 6-point underdog against Texas A&M Saturday night in Miami. That line didn’t move much after the Heels’ three first-team All-ACC players opted out of the bowl to protect their NFL draft status and not get hurt in their last college game.
Michael Carter, Chazz Surratt and Dyami Brown battled through injuries during high school and college to emerge as potential pros. But the Heels still have Sam Howell and receivers that go three-deep on the lineup card. And they still had Javonte Williams, the school’s touchdown leader for one season who split the rushing load with Carter but now had Hard Rock Stadium field to himself.
With Williams opting out over the weekend, Carolina falls to a prohibitive underdog against the fifth-ranked Aggies who have a great quarterback of their own, the third-rated rushing defense nationally and anger about being snubbed by the CFP selection committee.
The Tar Heels have four running backs left each of whom does not have more than 12 carries on the season, all during mop-up time at the end of lopsided games. Maybe one of them will emerge as a threat so A&M can’t focus on stopping Howell with its pass defense that is not among the top 50.
Williams, who is bigger than Carter, began college as a short-yardage back after playing linebacker in high school. He has never had a serious injury, played in all 11 games this fall, averaging 8 yards per carry. Yet, he doesn’t have the pub of other Power 5 star RBs.
What could an agent be telling his family that would lead him to dropping out? Sure, he might get injured, but he just as likely could have shined again on national television and enhanced his pro stock.
Carter had 156 carries this season, Williams 155. Both had longest runs from scrimmage of 65 yards. When Javonte began practicing with the team after Christmas, you might have bet the two had agreed who would play in the game and who would not.
Now you can bet a money-hungry agent wanted his cut sooner than later.
Photo via ACC Media
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