UNC Football: 2018 Preseason Awards

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Anthony Ratliff-Williams #17 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stiff-arms Johnathan Alston #5 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Myles Dorn #1 and Jonathan Smith #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels tackle Malik Williams #29 of the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 47-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Breakout Player of the Year

Winner: Jonathan Smith

The middle linebacker is a key position on the defense and while Cole Holcomb did a good job last year in place of Andre Smith, it could Jonathan Smith that could force him to move outside.

According to Gregory Hall of Inside Carolina, Smith is competing for that starting job at middle linebacker. However, he is essentially competing with himself and if Smith struggles the team would move Holcomb back to middle linebacker.

I don’t think that will happen and Smith will start the year as the starting linebacker and have a breakout year in this defense.

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