Starting UNC OL John Ferranto to miss most of season
North Carolina’s John Ferranto will miss most of the season.
Inside Carolina first reported that Ferranto, a senior starter on the Tar Heels’ offensive line, had surgery Wednesday for an undisclosed injury. Andrew Carter of The News & Observer confirmed the news with the program.
UNC starting OT John Ferranto will miss most of the season w/an undisclosed injury, team spokesman says. @InsideCarolina reported earlier.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) July 15, 2016
Ferranto has made 17 starts during his UNC career, including 13 at left tackle in 2014. He also started four games in 2015 and was expected to fill the void left by All-American Landon Turner at right guard. He was listed with the first-team offense on the team’s preseason depth chart.
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Tar Heels offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said Ferranto’s injury is a “big blow.”
Ferranto will miss the majority of the season, UNC OL coach/offensive coordinator Chris Kapilovic said in a text. A “big blow,” indeed.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) July 15, 2016
The other four starters – Bentley Spain at left tackle, Caleb Peterson at left guard, Lucas Crowley at center and Jon Heck at right tackle – all return from last season. Junior Brad Henson was listed as the second-team right guard behind Ferranto. Henson has appeared in 25 games combined over the past two seasons, mainly on special teams.
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Coming off an 11-3 record in 2015, UNC opens up the 2016 season on Sept. 3 against Georgia in Atlanta.
For more North Carolina news, visit TarHeelIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
