Two players who were expected to be a big part of UNC football’s future have both left the Tar Heels this spring. Defensive lineman Jordon Riley and pass catcher J.T. Cauthen have reportedly left the program.
After graduating early and enrolling at UNC in the spring of 2017, Riley appeared in five games as a true freshman, recording six tackles and a quarterback hurry. UNC is one man thinner as it prepares to lose Jeremiah Clarke and Jalen Dalton after the upcoming season.
When Riley announced via Twitter in late April, it put to bed rampant speculation as to whether the former 3-star might return in the summer. Riley was forced to sit out spring workouts as he faced academic concerns. And while the Tar Heels weren’t necessarily expecting to rely on Riley in 2018, his departure is a bigger loss for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
UNC should be fine up front defensively this coming season, so long as they can avoid the injury bug that decimated them a year ago. With Clarke and Dalton returning, along with fellow veterans Aaron Crawford and Jason Strowbridge, the Tar Heels have quality, experienced depth at defensive tackle. Riley may have been the fourth or fifth man in that rotation. But it would have been another chance for him to develop experience and leadership – an opportunity now lost.
Another delayed impact
Cauthen made his decision to leave Chapel Hill following spring workouts. After redshirting the 2017 season, Cauthen was expected to challenge for playing time in 2018 as a hybrid wide receiver/H-Back type player. Cauthen had reportedly put on 15 pounds during his redshirt year, growing to approximately 220 pounds, as he anticipated getting snaps this coming season.
As is the case with Jordon Riley, the Tar Heels likely won’t feel the sting of Cauthen’s departure in 2018 as much as they will in future seasons. UNC will lose Brandon Fritts after the upcoming season, with minimal depth behind him.
The Tar Heels don’t really have numerous other players on the roster offering Cauthen’s unique blend of skills. So even though he wasn’t likely to make a huge impression in 2018, as he competed for balls with Fritts, Anthony Ratliff-Williams, and Dazz Newsome, among others, Cauthen could have been a key part of UNC’s offense in 2019 and beyond.
While UNC brought in a solid class of receivers in 4-stars Dyami Brown, Antoine Green, and Jordyn Adams, they’ve gone a couple years without adding a quality tight end. And there’s a remaining possibility that Jordyn Adams will play professional baseball. Cauthen’s departure from the UNC program will create an even bigger need for the Tar Heels to seek out hybrid receivers who could potentially serve dual roles at H-Back and tight end in the future.
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