While the majority of the focus today is on where the Tar Heels will be heading in their bowl game later this month, the team got the news that another young player in their wide receiver room is heading to the transfer portal.
Redshirt freshman Doc Chapman announced via social media earlier this afternoon that he will enter the transfer portal. Chapman is the third straight player from the state of Virginia to enter the portal from this Tar Heel roster. He will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.
Chapman played in 15 games in the last two years, including all 12 games this season. The majority of his snaps came on special teams, but he did see some run at the slot receiver spot down the stretch of the season. He registered his first career catch on a jet sweep pitch in the season opener and his first career touchdown in the game against Georgia Tech. He finishes his Tar Heel career with seven catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. His bigger impact this year came on special teams where he played 118 snaps between all of the different units outside of the field goal block group. He became the team’s primary kick returner after George Pettaway shut it down for the season, but only returned four kicks the entire season for an average of 20.8 yards.
With Chapman’s departure, the Tar Heels will be searching for a new kick returner and potentially a new backup slot receiver this offseason. Nate McCollum is expected to be back as the starting slot receiver and Kobe Paysour could also play a significant role in the slot if the team doesn’t need him on the outside. Behind them, the battle will be between current true freshman Christian Hamilton, and freshmen Javarius Green and Altex Taylor for a chance at reps next season. At kick returner, there isn’t a clear option, especially with D.J. Jones also departing due to graduation. Caleb Hood has returned kicks before for the team but struggled as the team’s secondary returner earlier this year leading to Jones taking over. The team has some work to do on special teams this offseason.