North Carolina Football: Predicting the Defensive Depth Chart for 2011

The North Carolina Tar Heels' defense provides power-based, competitive, enthusiastic and downright resilient action on the field. If you enjoy watching heart-pounding, low-scoring games, watch the boys in baby blue this year.

UNC returns 10 starters on defense in 2011, including six seniors. It allowed a respectable 23.2 points per game last season and looks to improve with nearly everyone back for more.

With the offense losing seven starters, including NFL draft pick quarterback T.J. Yates, the defense will be required to step it up a notch.

Especially if the Tar Heels want to contend for what should be a tough battle in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Here is my prediction for North Carolina's season-opening starting defense.

Free Safety

The NCAA violations that plagued North Carolina in 2010 gave Matt Merletti a great opportunity with a lot of playing time at free safety.

Merletti lived up to the big shoes, racking up 37 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games. He also returned five kickoffs for 91 yards.

The 5'11", 200-pounder started five games for the Tar Heels last year.

He and his speed (4.45 second 40-yard dash) will be expected to have play-making abilities for Butch Davis' dominant defense in 2011.

Strong Safety

The 5'11", 190-pound Gene Robinson is one of the most competitive players on North Carolina's secondary. His statistics aren't phenomenal, but he gets the job done.

Robinson is an upcoming junior. He has great speed and athleticism which provides him the ability to accelerate nicely off of the quarterback's throws.

Carolina's secondary allowed just over 204 yards per game through the air in 2010, and his I.Q. for the position and very quick break to the ball are two characteristics Butch Davis enjoys having.

The Tar Heel safety worked his way to 30 tackles and an interception throughout the course of 11 games last season.

Cornerbacks

LeCount Fantroy and Mywan Jackson are two underrated defensive backs that will start for the Tar Heels in 2011.

Fantroy, a senior, is a returning starter that battled through most of last season with injuries (shoulder). He missed five games, including the Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee.

The D.C. native had 28 tackles (24 solo) in 2010 with four assists and will be returning healthy for another year of solid play.

Jackson played quarterback in high school, showing his valuable versatility and athleticism. He is extremely quick and relies on his feet to stick the opponent at all costs.

The upcoming junior has no problems staying aggressive, using his soft hands to fluster the receiver (and quarterback, when catching an INT).

Jackson made his way for 20 tackles (13 solo) and seven assists last year.

Weak Side Outside Linebacker

According to the Tar Heels' official athletic site, Zach Brown (no relation to the country star) is likely the fastest player on North Carolina's roster.

And he's a linebacker.

Brown is listed down for a 4.28 second 40-yard dash—that's faster than NFL-great Deion Sanders (4.29).

His bulldozing size and speed contributed to his pursuit of 72 tackles (1.5 TFL) and three interceptions (113 INT return yards) in 2010.

Brown adds to what should be yet another powerful linebacking core for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

I wonder if he likes his jeans to fit just right.

Middle Linebacker

The tackle machine is back.

The 6'3", 240-pound MLB Kevin Reddick led the Tar Heels in tackles (74) and clobbered his way to six tackles for loss in 2010. He caught two interceptions—one where he took it all the way for a touchdown.

Reddick, a junior, will be starting linebacker for the third straight year. His great size and speed for his position (4.67 second 40-yard dash) gives UNC a nice weapon up the middle against the rush.

Strong Side Linebacker

Yet another fast and furious linebacker to add to the crew.

Herman Davidson is coming into his senior season with the expectations of replacing Bruce Carter at the strong side linebacker position. This will be his first year as a starter.

His intense speed and footing gives him the edge in zone coverage, allowing him to keep up with wide receivers and to easily handle tight ends.

Davidson's perfect size (6'2", 235 pounds) is a great asset when it comes to physicality and strength, in which he excels in both aspects.

Davidson has 17 tackles (14 solo), three assists, one sack and a forced fumble throughout his college career.

Defensive Ends

Sophomore Tim Jackson and junior Donte Paige-Moss are two impact players on both ends of the defensive line.

And believe me when I say impact, because they're not afraid to hurt someone full-force.

Yahoo! Sports had Paige-Moss ranked as the No. 2 defensive end in his high school class (2009). He is an extremely athletic player for his position, and his talent will only improve with more experience.

His below-average size (6'4", 260 pounds) has actually been an advantage for him as he flies to the ball with his outstanding speed (4.6 second 40-yard dash).

Paige-Moss had 49 tackles (10 TFL) and seven sacks in 2010, and Carolina almost certainly wouldn't have beaten Tennessee in the Music City Bowl had Paige-Moss not blocked a pivotal extra point in the fourth quarter.

Jackson received limited playing time as a freshman but still ended up seeing the field in seven games last season. He came up with 15 tackles (five TFL), 10 assists, half-a-sack and an interception.

He carries the athleticism and body frame that every scout dreams of for the DE position, glistening with the ability to pursuit the quarterback. His length is a huge advantage on the end.

Jackson will be an impeccable force in 2011.

Defensive Tackles

A recent ESPN ACC blog has North Carolina's defensive line pre-ranked at No. 1 in the conference.

Tydreke Powell and Quinton Coples are two huge reason why.

Powell is another talented addition to a stellar North Carolina D-line, standing at 6’3″, 310 pounds. He is an important asset to what will be a scary Tar Heel defense, as he looks to improve off of a 47 tackle (three TFL) season. He also added 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble.

According to the NFL draft site, the upcoming senior is projected to be selected in the second round of the 2012 draft.

It also has DT Quinton Coples as the No. 1 overall pick next April (to Carolina, of course).

Coples was selected to be a first-team All-Conference pick last season. He ranked third in the ACC with sacks (10) and seventh in tackles for loss (15.5).

 The 6'7", 280-pound Tar Heel had a total of 59 tackles and forced two fumbles.

There's no doubt that UNC's defense will be causing havoc in 2011.