North Carolina will be without another key wide receiver vs. South Carolina
Published:
North Carolina receiver Nate McCollum will not play against South Carolina on Saturday night, according to multiple reports.
Per reports from those on the ground in Charlotte, McCollum is not warming up with North Carolina’s receivers as they prepare to face the Gamecocks in Week 1.
UNC’s Nate McCollum is not with the skill players warming up. If he isn’t going that would mean Drake Maye would be without the top two receivers brought in this offseason. pic.twitter.com/1qNC3E87r8
— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) September 2, 2023
No Nate McCollum tonight for #UNC.
The Tar Heels are already without one of their top targets in Tez Walker. Big misses.
— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerTHI) September 2, 2023
It’s not yet known why McCollum will not suit up for the Tar Heels in Week 1, but this is a big loss for UNC.
North Carolina will already be without Tez Walker for this game, who is still awaiting a final decision from the NCAA regarding his eligibility for this upcoming campaign.
McCollum and Walker were UNC’s top transfer portal additions at wide receiver this past offseason. The Tar Heels went into the portal to try to replace its top pass-catchers from 2022, Josh Downs and Antoine Green. Both Downs and Green have moved on to the NFL.
McCollum played at Georgia Tech the past 3 seasons. He broke out in 2022, catching 60 passes for 655 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets last season.
With Walker and McCollum sidelined, Kobe Paysour and Andre Greene are expected to be a larger part of UNC’s passing game. Quarterback Drake Maye could also rely more heavily on UNC’s deep stable of tight ends that includes John Copenhaver, Bryson Nesbit and Kamari Morales.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
