Mack Brown predicts improvement for UNC defense

The Tar Heels must improve on defense to make the most of 2023.

Jim Dedmon/USA Today Sports

There's no denying that in 2022 the North Carolina defense was a glaring weakness in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels ranked last in the ACC in points allowed per game (30.8) and yards allowed per game (436.5).

They even surrendered a staggering 61 points in an early season win against Appalachian State.

Yet, Drake Maye and company stormed out to a 9-1 start before a disappointing four-game losing streak to close out the season.

With the return of the Heisman Trophy candidate, expectations on offense are high, but head coach Mack Brown has his eyes on the defense.

At Thursday's ACC Media Day, Brown emphasized his belief that the UNC defense will be much improved in Gene Chizik's second season as defensive coordinator.

"I think we're going to be good on defense," Brown said when speaking to the media. "We've got to be more aggressive up front and stop the run more on first down." (Inside Carolina)

Linebacker Cedric Gray and Power Echols will anchor the defense that featured a complete makeover via the transfer portal.

The secondary, which added four new faces from the portal, should be much improved and go a long way in helping the defense make strides from 2022.

Mack Brown also brought in Jason Jones, who was previously at Indiana, to be the cornerbacks coach.

It is safe to say that there will be plenty of new places on defense this year for the Tar Heels, giving them optimism for more production in 2023.

Add in an offense that returns a full running back room and brings in highly-touted transfer receivers in the form of Devontez Walker (Kent State) and Nate McCollum (Georgia Tech) and there is reason to be excited in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina will be tested from the jump, as they face-off against South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 3.

Will the Tar Heels make improvement on the defensive side of the ball in 2023?