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

Before finding this home at the end spot Wilson bounced around between fullback and tight end.  He showed his ability at d-end on the scout team during his redshirt year on the Hill.  Wilson put his hand down and squared off against Brian Chacos, Charleston Gray and Chris Woods during offensive team periods even though he was still technically a tight end.

Wilson's debut in 2006 was a rocky but promising start, as the kid from Brunswick High School worked to adjust from an offensive player to a defensive stopper.  As the season wore on he showed flashes of what he could become if given a more substantial role.

Last season saw EJ play a larger role, yet still was not truly the leader on the defensive line.  Even after starting all 12 games last season most Carolina fans don't mention Wilson as the rising star of the defense. 

With the upgraded secondary play and increased playing time, including third downs this season, the redshirt junior's stats should increase as they have at every turn in his short Tar Heel career.  EJ is already on the NFL's radar and with some polish this kid could become the next great Tar Heel defensive lineman.

Ryan Taylor (6'3", 240 pounds)

There's a lot to be said about the Mount Tabor tight end turned h-back turned linebacker.  He's a physical phenom, a great blend of size and speed that wowed folks coming out of high school.

Taylor's growth as an offensive and defensive player has been severely retarded both by the coaching transition and the position switches.  Originally recruited during the Bunting Era, Ryan was expected to be a skull cracker of a blocking tight end, capable of stoning ends and linebackers as well as converting third downs and making red zone plays.

Coming to linebacker in the spring didn't help Taylor, he was forced to quickly grasp a scheme and position that was completely alien to him.  However, he's been able to settle into his reserve linebacker role and is steadily improving on his contributions.

While the offensive and defensive aspects of his game have struggled his special teams contributions have remained an unwavering constant. 

Ryan Taylor is one of those rare breed of players that loves the teams.  He takes great pride in his work on all four core teams and he brings an almost savage attitude with him to the field.  Taylor is the type of kid who doesn't mind sacrificing his body as long as the other guy gets it a little worse.

While the linebacking position is filled with a host of talented players, expect to see Ryan Taylor #49 flying down the football field in the fall during kickoff, punt, punt return and kickoff return. 

With the increase in depth and talent on special teams Taylor's leadership will come in handy in maintaining order during the chaos of the kickoff.  He will be the conductor of the brutal symphonies that are Carolina's critical special teams battles.

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