Here Comes Carolina Tar Heels: Five Players Every ACC Fan Needs To Know

This logjam at tight end saw Richard Quinn and new comers Ed Barham and Zach Pianalto receiving the bulk of the reps and Jacobs was one of the odd men out.  He played sparingly in 2007 after redshirting 2006 and it appeared his future was being relegated to the special teams for the remainder of his career.

However, Butch Davis and his staff saw the raw talent and athletic skill set Jacobs possessed, so they took a flyer on moving the talented ex-Providence Day star to defensive end during the spring of 2008.  This switch may prove to be genius as Jacobs has already shown a knack for disrupting backfields.

With the departure of Hilee Taylor the Tar Heels have lost their speed-rushing specialist, in Jacobs, it seems they have found another demon to come off the corner and terrorize ACC quarterbacks.  Currently listed at 240 pounds and looking to get close to 250, it'll be interesting to see how Jacobs' body handles the extra size. Hilee's frame never truly accommodated the weight gain that might have improved his durability.

Though it is no small task to replace last year's sack leader Taylor, Jacobs does have the physical tools to make a significant impact: An All-State track performer, high jumped 6'6" and a basketball state and AAU champion. 

On third and long don't be surprised to see this 6'6" tight end turned defensive end coming off the corner doing his best George Selvie impersonation.

Jordan Hemby (5'10", 185 pounds)

Hemby got to school in 2005 with high expectations.  Marvin Sanders, the Heels defensive coordinator, expected him to hit the field and immediately contribute.  This was not in the cards for the Morganton Freedom stud, he was instead redshirted.

After a season working with the scout team and a full spring to heal his body and his ego Jordan waltzed into 2006 ready to be the impact player the Heels were looking for in the secondary.  Again, it wasn't to be.  Hemby tore his ACL in the 52-7 debacle at Clemson.

In 2007 Hemby was a strong contributor for the Heels special teams as he worked to learn the system under Chuck Pagano.  Now fully healthy in 2008 the redshirt junior looks to crack the Tar Heel rotation in the secondary. 

This will be no small task with established, experienced competition in Charles Brown and Kendrick Burney.  However the depth that Hemby is able to provide may be his biggest asset.  The junior will finally get to show what he can do in games and after impressing in practice for stretches it will be a treat to see the kid get to perform under the lights.

Expect to see Hemby contribute largely on special teams and possibly in Carolina's special packages such as nickel and dime schemes that put more defensive backs into the game.

EJ Wilson (6'2", 280 pounds)

The lone experience at the end position for Carolina, Wilson's 5 sacks in 2007 were overshadowed by his linemates first round pick Kentwan Balmer and sack leader Hilee Taylor.  EJ is a true defensive end, he plays the run and pass equally well and EJ's "well" is quite exceptional.

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