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UNC Football: Predicting the 2018 stats for the running backs

By Brandon Croce

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 28: Charlie Heck #67 blocks for Jordon Brown #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kenan Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 28: Charlie Heck #67 blocks for Jordon Brown #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Kenan Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 14: Michael Carter #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks free for a long run during their against the Virginia Cavaliers game at Kenan Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 20-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 14: Michael Carter #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks free for a long run during their against the Virginia Cavaliers game at Kenan Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 20-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Michael Carter

2017 stats: 97 carries, 558 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 11 receptions, 100 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

Similarly to Brown, Michael Carter had a breakout season last year. He got to see an expanded role a year earlier than expected after Elijah Hood left for the NFL and capitalized on the extra work. He showed he had an ability to break off the big play with two runs over 45 yards last year and finished leading the team in yards per carry (5.8).

Carter is the perfect compliment to what Brown and Antonio Williams brings to this offense. He has the ability to make game changing plays and doesn’t need a heavy workload to be effective.

The one stat that will likely drop from 2017 will be the rushing touchdowns. The playing style that Williams brings bodes well as a goal-line back so unless Carter is breaking big touchdown runs, which is possibly, the touchdowns will likely drop this season.

2018 projected stats: 60 carries, 400 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions, 130 receiving yards

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