Following Alabama’s blowout win over Ohio State in Monday night’s college football national championship game, ESPN wasted no time publishing its “Way-Too-Early” top 25 rankings for 2021 — a list that had UNC ranked No. 7 heading into next season.

The Tar Heels will return 21 of their 22 starters from this year’s Orange Bowl in 2021, including quarterback Sam Howell — who is expected to compete for the Heisman Trophy.

UNC was already without running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, receiver Dyami Brown and linebacker Chazz Surratt for the Orange Bowl loss against No. 5 Texas A&M. Each of those players opted out of the game to focus on preparations for the NFL Draft.

Senior receiver Dazz Newsome is the only Tar Heel who started the Orange Bowl that will not be back in 2021.

UNC went 8-4 in 2020 and made the program’s first major bowl appearance since 1950, but head coach Mack Brown is hoping the team can take another big step forward next season and it appears he will have the talent to make a run at it.

Clemson was projected by ESPN as the No. 1 team to start next season, followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.

Texas A&M claimed the No. 6 spot in front of the Tar Heels, while the rest of the top 10 consists of Iowa State, USC and Indiana.

For the full ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25, click here.

 

 

Photo via ACC Media

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