Earlier today, we told you that the Tar Heels had lost their most significant piece to the transfer portal so far in the form of linebacker Sebastian Cheeks. At the time, that was the truth, but since then things have changed with a more significant player entering the portal this afternoon.
As first reported by On3 Sports, redshirt freshman cornerback Tayon Holloway has entered the transfer portal. Holloway will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.
Holloway’s departure means the team has lost their first significant contributor to the portal in this cycle. Holloway, who played in ten games this season, started seven of the first eight for the team and played 349 snaps, the third most amongst the outside corners. He certainly did have the best season in coverage, allowing 20 of his 29 targets to be caught for 313 yards and a 104.5 rating when being targeted. He did not allow a touchdown, which is a positive, but he also failed to register a single pass breakup. He also finished with 19 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and three missed tackles.
With Holloway’s departure and Armani Chatman’s graduation, the team will have to look elsewhere for the starter opposite of Marcus Allen on the outside. The team has to figure out what they will do at the nickel corner spot with Alijah Huzzie expected to be back and DeAndre Boykins expected to return from the injury he suffered in the preseason that shut him down for the year. The most likely scenario is that Huzzie will return to the outside where he had so much success at East Tennessee State, but if not there are a couple of routes the team can go. Lejond Cavazos, who started the final three games of last year, is still on the roster and would be back from an injury that kept him off the field for the majority of this season if he chooses to return. True freshmen Ayden Duncanson, Tre Miller and Ty Adams are all young guys who could get a look as well in their second season in the system. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the team was to look for another veteran transfer like they did with Chatman last year.