UNC needs backup receivers to grow up quickly

Most college football coaches across the country are quick to identify talent as the main ingredient in building a winning program. If the talent isn’t there, experience can be a major plus as well.

Going into the 2016 season, North Carolina has both talent and experience in its receiving corps.

The Tar Heels will be starting a senior trio of pass-catchers this fall as they look to build off last fall’s 11-3 finish. Included in that group are two returning All-ACC performers in Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer. Bug Howard, who started eight contests in 2015, is also back and poised to embrace a greater role following the graduation of record-breaking wideout Quinshad Davis.

This will be an important year for UNC’s receivers, and not just because the position group is loaded with proven veterans. New contributors will need to step up on the second team, or else the passing game could take a considerable step backward in 2017.

How much of UNC’s receiving production were Hollins, Switzer and Howard responsible for in 2015? To find out for free, sign up for basic access to ACCSports.com.