The North Carolina Tar Heels were very fortunate to have NFL-level talent at wide receiver over the past couple seasons.
Last year, UNC had the likes of Devontez Walker leading its receiving corps. Walker transferred in from Kent State, where he had over 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, to lead a Drake Maye-led offense.
Walker wasn’t eligible for the first couple weeks of 2023, then made an immediate impact when he suited up against Syracuse in Week 5. He only played in eight of North Carolina’s 13 games, but recorded a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.
Last season, the Tar Heels also sported a stacked tight end room led by in-state junior Bryson Nesbit. He got off to a slow start, but ended 2023 with 585 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Nesbit registered a season-best 78 receiving yards on Nov. 4 against Campbell, then caught a season-high seven passes in the Nov. 11 double-overtime victory against archrival Duke.
Having a tight end like Nesbit allowed Maye to stretch the field. You could argue that Nesbit and Walker formed a formidable one-two punch, but UNC had a dangerous pass-catching corps in general, as 10 guys had 100 yards and five had multiple touchdowns.
With no Walker this coming season, Nesbit should have a much larger role. Let’s take a deeper look into Nesbit’s 2024 role on the Tar Heels.
Player Biography
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches the ball as Duke Blue Devils safety Jaylen Stinson (2) defends to set up a field goal attempt at the end of the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: South Mecklenburg
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 235 lbs.
Class: Senior
Nesbit’s UNC stats
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches a touchdown pass as Duke Blue Devils nickel Brandon Johnson (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2023: Started two of 12 games, catching 41 passes for 585 yards (14.3 YPC, 48.8 YPG) and five touchdowns.
2022: Appeared in all 14 games, catching 35 passes for 507 yards (14.5 YPC, 36.2 YPG) and four touchdowns.
2021: Started one of 11 games he appeared in, catching seven passes for 154 yards (22 YPC, 14 YPG) and one touchdown.
Nesbit’s fit on UNC’s depth chart
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end John Copenhaver (81) celebrates with tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) after catching a two point conversion in the second overtime at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nesbit made the most of his playing time last year, leading all North Carolina tight ends in receiving yards. At first glance, you may think this meant Nesbit was the starter.
If you go back and look at player profiles on UNC’s official 2023 roster, though, Nesbit was actually in a platoon with John Copenhaver and Kamari Morales. Nesbit started just two of the Tar Heels’ 13 games last season, Copenhaver started 10 and Morales started five.
If you’re wondering why the numbers don’t add up, it’s because North Carolina employed several two tight-end sets.
With Morales now at Boston College, Nesbit is bound to start more games. Copenhaver is quite the talented pass-catcher, too, but I think Nesbit starts 2024 atop the tight end depth chart.
Potential fears for Nesbit
Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The only possible fear I can think of for Nesbit is not developing chemistry with his new starting quarterback.
North Carolina has yet to decide on Max Johnson or Conner Harrell under center, though 2022 Tar Heel Jacolby Criswell is a possibility, too. UNC has an entire Training Camp and most of August to choose a starter, so Nesbit will have plenty of time to forms connections with all three.
Nesbit rarely played during his freshman season with Sam Howell at quarterback, then was a main feature in Drake Maye’s offense. Nesbit produced in each of his first three seasons as a Tar Heel, so I have no doubt about him doing the same with a new gunslinger in 2024.
Realistic expectations for 2024
Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) runs after a catch as Virginia Cavaliers safety Jonas Sanker (20) forces him out of bounds in the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
With the experience and talent Nesbit carries into the fall, I realistically see him stepping up and being a new leader on the Tar Heel offense.
Nesbit has improved during each season in Chapel Hill, as 2023 was his second-straight year with 500+ yards. He has the frame of a tight end, but the speed of a wide receiver.
Hybrid tight end-wide receivers are newer to today’s game. Just look at what Travis Kelce and Evan Engram are doing in the NFL, lining up both next to offensive linemen and in the slot.
I see Nesbit taking a similar path this season. Nesbit will have his first 600-yard season as a result, plus 10 receiving touchdowns is a realistic expectation.
Looking back at Nesbit as a recruit
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 09: Travis Jay #18 of the Florida State Seminoles tackles Bryson Nesbit #18 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 09, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
According to Nesbit’s 247Sports Composite Rankings, he was the Class of 2021’s 13th-ranked tight end and North Carolina’s 19th-ranked overall player. Nesbit chose the Tar Heels amongst 27 total offers, including one from fellow ACC rival Florida State.
Nesbit on social media
Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) scoes a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nesbit celebrating with Maye after a TD catch
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) celebrates with quarterback Drake Maye (10) after catching a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nesbit making a crazy TD catch against Duke
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches a touchdown pass as Duke Blue Devils nickel Brandon Johnson (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nesbit grabs ball over Campbell defender’s head
Nov 4, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches the ball as Campbell Fighting Camels safety Ed Dennis (44) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nesbit reaching out for a TD against Syracuse
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) reaches up for a touchdown catch during the first half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
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Publish date : 2024-07-30 07:08:00
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