Gene Chizik, DeAndre Boykins & The Evolution of UNC's 'Star' Position

Posted Aug 17, 2022
Harkening back to his first run with the Tar Heels, Gene Chizik has reinstated the "star" position in UNC's defense. The position is an iteration of the classic nickelback that helped M.J. Stewart post career-highs in interceptions (4) and tackles (48) in 2015 and 2016. This season, sophomore DeAndre Boykins is expected to be Carolina's starting star. (Inside Carolina)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Josh Downs among 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2026 NFL season
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is an undersized, slot-only speedster who will take on a bigger role this season. After averaging 11.2 yards per...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - 2026 UNC Football Preview with Phil Steele
Phil Steele joins Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Spencer Haskell to highlight the process of covering every FBS school with extensive analysis in the transfer...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Julius Peppers Was a Star Before He Stepped on the Field - The Scouting Report That Proved It
I travelled to North Carolina for the Tar Heels' regular-season finale against Duke in November of 2001 to personally scout Julius Peppers. At the morning...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Bill Belichick calls for uniform rules across NFL, NCAA; tampering enforcement
Bill Belichick advocated for the NFL and NCAA to work together to standardize football rules between the levels. "You watch multiple games on Saturday and...
Mon Jul 27, 2026