North Carolina projected starting lineup and depth chart for Fenway Bowl | 2024-25 College football season

Fenway Park in Boston will host Saturday's matchup between UConn and North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The Tar Heels enter as narrow -2.5 favorites. The contest will kick off at 11 a.m. ET.

The Tar Heels are heavily depleted coming into this game. Running back Omarion Hampton won't play along with several other teammates because of the transfer portal, the 2025 NFL draft and injuries. They will rest easy knowing UConn will also be without six players, who entered the transfer portal.

Let's take a look at North Carolina's projected starting lineup and depth chart for the Fenway Bowl.

North Carolina projected starting lineup and depth chart for Fenway Bowl

Offensive Positions

WR-X (Wide Receiver X):

Starter: J.J. Jones

• 2nd: Paul Billups II
• 3rd: Jordan Shipp

WR-Z (Wide Receiver Z):

Starter: Christian Hamilton

• 2nd: Chris Culliver
• 3rd: Alex Taylor
• 4th: Gavin Blackwell (Questionable)

WR-SL (Slot Receiver):

Starter: Nate McCollum

• 2nd: Kobe Paysour
• 3rd: Javarius Green

LT (Left Tackle):

Starter: Howard Sampson

• 2nd: Jakiah Leftwich

LG (Left Guard):

Starter: Aidan Banfield

• 2nd: Malik McGowan

C (Center):

Starter: Zach Greenberg

• Austin Blaske (Out)

RG (Right Guard):

Starter: Willie Lampkin

• 2nd: Jonathan Adorno
• 3rd: Zach Rice

RT (Right Tackle):

Starter: Trevyon Green

• 2nd: Jani Norwood

TE (Tight End):

Starter: John Copenhaver

• 2nd: Bryson Nesbit (Out)
• 3rd: Jake Johnson

QB (Quarterback):

Starter: Jacolby Criswell

• 2nd: Conner Harrell (Questionable)

RB (Running Back):

Starter: Omarion Hampton (Questionable)

• 2nd: Darwin Barlow (Questionable)
• 3rd: Davion Gause
• 4th: Caleb Hood

Defensive Positions

DE (Defensive End):

Starter: Kaimon Rucker (Out)

• 2nd: Tyler Thompson
• 3rd: Jaybron Harvey

NT (Nose Tackle):

Starter: Kevin Hester Jr.

• 2nd: Joshua Harris Sr.
• 3rd: Joel Starlings

DT (Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Jahvaree Ritzie

• 2nd: Travis Shaw
• 3rd: Rodney Lora
• 4th: Leroy Jackson

RUSH (Rush Linebacker):

Starter: Tyler Thompson

• 2nd: Jaybron Harvey

MLB (Middle Linebacker):

Starter: Amare Campbell (Out)

• 2nd: Ashton Woods
• 3rd: Michael Short

WLB (Weak-Side Linebacker):

Starter: Power Echols

• 2nd: Caleb LaVallee
• 3rd: Cade Law

FCB (Field Cornerback):

Starter: Marcus Allen

• 2nd: Tyrane Stewart
• 3rd: Jalon Thompson

SS (Strong Safety):

Starter: Jakeen Harris

• 2nd: Will Hardy
• 3rd: Malcolm Ziglar

FS (Free Safety):

Starter: Antavious Lane

• 2nd: DeAndre Boykins

BCB (Boundary Cornerback):

Starter: Alijah Huzzie

• 2nd: Ty Adams
• 3rd: Zion Ferguson

STAR (Nickel/Safety):

Starter: Kaleb Cost

• 2nd: Tre Miller
• 3rd: Ty White

Special Teams

PT (Punter):

Starter: Tom Maginness

• 2nd: Lucas Osada

PK (Placekicker):

Starter: Noah Burnette

• 2nd: Liam Boyd (OFS)
• 3rd: Lucas Osada

KO (Kickoff Specialist):

Starter: Noah Burnette

LS (Long Snapper):

Starter: Spencer Triplett

• 2nd: Grant Mills

H (Holder):

Starter: Tom Maginness

PR (Punt Returner):

Starter: Alijah Huzzie

• 2nd: Nate McCollum

KR (Kick Returner):

Starter: Nate McCollum

• 2nd: Darwin Barlow (Questionable)

Injuries:

• Darwin Barlow (RB): Questionable
• Gavin Blackwell (WR): Questionable
• Julien Randolph (TE): Questionable
• Kaimon Rucker (DE): Out
• Austin Blaske (C): Out
• Bryson Nesbit (TE): Out
• Omarion Hampton (RB): Questionable
• Conner Harrell (QB): Questionable
• Amare Campbell (MLB): Out

Inactive Players (OFS):

• Max Johnson (QB)
• Liam Boyd (K)