2013 Football Preview- Running Backs

The Tarheels lost Gio Bernard to the pros (2nd Round, Cincinnati Bengals) after last season. He was their their most versatile running back since Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice. Their are four running backs that are the prime candidates to replace him and two of those are Freshmen. Redshirt Sophomore Romar Morris probably has a skill set the most similar to Bernard and had several good games last season and Senior A.J. Blue is more of a power back and got several starts in Bernard's absence. They are listed as co-starters by Inside Carolina. The two Freshmen are the "x-factors" in this running back equation. Khris Francis was an early enrollee and had over 100 yards in the spring game but displayed a bit of a ball control problem during Spring practice. That will keep him on the bench more than anything. T.J. Logan will not arrive until the Fall Semester but he posted video-game like stats in high school, including over 500 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns in the state championship game. Both Francis and Logan were accomplished receivers out of the backfield in high school and should fit right into the UNC system. Francis may have a leg up since he got a lot of reps in Spring Practice and the Spring Game. T.J. Logan was also an accomplished punt returner in high school so it should be a good battle for depth chart position barring injury.