Even with the likes of Kaimon Rucker and Power Echols in their linebacking unit, the North Carolina Tar Heels don’t get a ton of production from their defensive line. This is even with the likes of former 5-star recruit Desmond Evans and longtime starter Kevin Hester, who both hope to take big leaps in 2024.
Speaking of big leaps, UNC has another former 5-star recruit on its defensive line – Travis Shaw, a top player in the Class of 2022. He was North Carolina’s top-ranked player, the second-ranked defensive lineman and fifth-ranked player nationally.
With a player of Shaw’s hype coming out of high school – he hails from football powerhouse Grimsley in Greensboro, NC – come a lot of expectations.
It’s safe to say that Shaw hasn’t lived up to his hype so far. This is to no fault of Shaw’s own, though – college football offenses are primarily shotgun spread, making it extremely difficult for defensive lineman to get the quarterback in time.
Entering 2024, a season in which UNC replaces a lot of starters, Shaw is one of those players expected to take a big leap. We’ve seen instances of former 5-star recruits flaming out, which I don’t think Shaw is in danger of doing, but he’ll need a big season to prove he was worth the recruiting hype.
Let’s take a deeper look at Shaw and what to expect of him this fall:
Player Bio
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) and linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) tackle Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader (6) during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
High School: Grimsley
Height: 6’5.5″
Weight: 330 lbs.
Class in 2024: Junior
Shaw’s UNC stats
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
2023: 11 games played, 11 tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss, one pass deflection
2022: 13 games played, 18 tackles (11 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, two passes deflected
Shaw’s fit on North Carolina’s depth chart
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) celebrates with teammate linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) during the first half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Before the transfer portal opened, Shaw was a clear-cut starter along the defensive line. He very well could still be, depending on what scheme new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins plans to employ.
With the Tar Heels’ addition of former NC State/Ole Miss transfer Joshua Harris, though, Shaw may not be starting. Harris played mainly as a reserve in the first few season of his career, but he has SEC football starting experience that Shaw doesn’t.
I hope that Shaw gets a few starts, because he is the type of player that can quickly disrupt an offense’s rhythm.
Potential fears for Shaw
Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) is the last on the field at the end of the game for the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
My fear for Shaw is his confidence level – and how that will impact his play.
I’m not in UNC’s locker room on a daily basis, so I have no idea of how confident Shaw is. He’s a former 5-star recruit amongst one of the best gets in program history, so there is a ton of potential.
Shaw has not produced up to the level of a 5-star player, though. I’m worried that impacts his confidence.
If Shaw continues to see reserve action and produces at his current level, that’s more understandable. Backups rarely out-play starters and – when they do – coaches make changes.
If Shaw starts and still continues to produce at his current level, he may go down as one of the biggest recruiting busts.
Realistic expectations for 2024
Nov 4, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Campbell Fighting Camels running back Chris McKay (11) s tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) and North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Tre Miller (15) in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
I’m expecting a big jump from Shaw, whether he starts or comes off the bench. He’s too good of a player to be stuck in his current rut.
Like I’ve said before, his lower numbers could be due to the shotgun spread formation. This is understandable.
If Shaw is feeling pressure to produce this offseason, I can only imagine he’ll use that as a motivating factor. I think Shaw sets a career high in tackles, adds a sack or two and becomes a true game-wrecker on UNC’s defensive line.
Looking back at Shaw as a recruit
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) cheers with fans during the second half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Shaw was the Class of 2022’s top-ranked player in North Carolina, second-ranked defensive lineman and fifth-ranked player nationally. He was a 5-star recruit.
Source link : https://tarheelswire.usatoday.com/lists/unc-football-2024-season-player-preview-travis-shaw/
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Publish date : 2024-07-20 10:49:00
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