Heel Tough Blog: Underclassmen Who Could Shine in Spring Practice

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The Tar Heels opened spring practice last week as they look to put together a better second season under the direction of head coach Bill Belichick. In order to do that, the team will need some young guys to step up and shine starting here in spring practice. Let’s take a look at some underclassmen that could shine over the next few weeks.

Jaylen Harvey

Harvey is one of the transfers that Tar Heel fans were most excited about this offseason and for good reason. The former 4✮ prospect never really got his opportunity with Penn State because of the talent that was in front of him, but he should get much more run starting here in the spring with the Tar Heels. He is one of the more interesting names to monitor this spring because we know that he has the talent. Don’t be surprised if he is one of the standouts for the staff coming out of the spring.

C.J. Sadler

Sadler might have been the most purely talented player that signed with the Tar Heels in the 2026 class and he could be poised to break out this spring. While Sadler’s goal is to play both sides of the ball at some point at this level, he will likely have to settle for reps at the slot receiver spot to start. With the Tar Heels looking for more speed both before and after the catch from their receivers, Sadler could definitely shine in those areas here over the next few weeks. Don’t be shocked if this is one of the names that you hear a lot about throughout the spring.

Kenton Dopson III

Dopson is another true freshman that brings plenty of raw talent to the table and should get plenty of opportunities this spring. With the starting cornerback spot unsettled at this time, he should be getting a shot at some first team reps and with the skillset that he possesses, there is a real chance that he could take the bulk of those by the end of spring if he impresses. It would not shock me if Dopson is the favorite to start at the corner spot opposite of Jaiden Patterson by the time we get to fall camp.

Vodney Cleveland

After some late departures from the defensive tackle position to the portal earlier this offseason, the Tar Heels are searching for some help behind presumed starters Leroy Jackson and Isaiah Johnson. While there are a handful of options here to step into those rotational roles, no one brings the pure talent that Cleveland does to that room. If he can live up to his billing coming out of the high school ranks, then there is a good chance he could slot right into that primary rotational role as soon as the end of spring.

Javion Butts

The Tar Heels are in the middle of searching for two new starters at the safety position after Gavin Gibson and Will Hardy graduated after last season and Butts is a name to know. The redshirt freshman started receiving some important snaps there late last season, playing a combined 38 snaps in the final two games of the season against Duke and NC State. If he can build off of what he was showing the staff that got him on the field at the end of last season, he might be someone that emerges as a favorite to start at one of the safety come the fall.

Trey Blue

According to some of the preliminary practice reports, Blue was one of the guys who was working with the first team offensive line unit and he could be poised for a bigger role in his second season with the program. While Aidan Banfield’s return to the field could alter Blue’s reps, it still feels like he is going to still get a healthy amount with the positions that are still up for grabs right now. If he can have a good spring, he might be in line to challenge for a starting job in the fall.

David Green

The Tar Heels are searching for a new kicker and Green might be the guy that’s in line to eventually take the starting role if he can shine in the spring. He should get a significant amount of opportunities here in the spring and if he can settle into a nice groove, he could have an early advantage in the race to win the job.