North Carolina lost one of its top defensive linemen this offseason when junior Beau Atkinson transferred to Ohio State, and his departure has raised questions about Bill Belichick’s first year in Chapel Hill.
Atkinson, who recorded 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season, said his decision was rooted in playing against stronger competition.
“I think it was just time for me to go,” Atkinson told Eleven Warriors. “I think I just wanted to play at the highest level that I could.”
Could Belichick’s Mishandling of NIL Impacted Atkinson Transferring?
Despite his comments sounding like he wanted to go up against better competition to improve his draft stock, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has another insight on the reason the edge rusher decided to head over to Columbus…