UNC’s Starting Left Tackle Is In the Transfer Portal

Another loss to the portal for UNC.

North Carolina starting left tackle Diego Pounds has entered the transfer portal. Early in the season, he took over the starting role, protecting Drake Maye’s blindside. Now, the Tar Heels will be searching for a new tackle to fill his role.

Great Season

Pounds had been good for North Carolina this past season. If Maye was sacked, it was rarely from his blindside. He was both valuable in pass and rush protection. Pounds will likely have many suitors after him.

Recruiting Profile

Pounds is a 6’6, 330-pound left tackle. He was ranked as a 3-star and the 532nd-best player in the country in the 2021 class. From Raleigh, Pounds went to Millbrook high and was recruited heavily by both local and national schools. He had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Oregon, Penn State, and many others.

Portal Loss

Pounds departure marks the 18th UNC player to enter the portal. So far, only four have transferred in. Of those leaving, seven have already found new homes. The Tar Heels have some work to do, as there are still multiple positions of need and the outgoing transfers may not be finished. Pounds will be hard to replace on a line that already needed some help.

Best of luck to Diego in his future!

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