Already reeling from a reported incident of hazing, the North Carolina football team could see its defensive line take yet another hit as well.
An undisclosed eligibility issue has been hanging over the head fo defensive tackle Ethan Farmer throughout summer camp, even as he’s continued to practice with the team. The Raleigh News & Observer writes that “it’s unclear whether he’ll play when the Tar Heels open the season on Saturday at home against Liberty – or whether he’ll play at all this season.”
For his part, head coach Larry Fedora has all but ruled the senior out of this weekend’s game.
“I’d love to... But I don’t anticipate anything,” Fedora said when asked if there would be any news on Farmer’s availability prior to the opener. “It’s out of our control, so I don’t – I don’t know the speed of it. Nobody has indicated to me it’ll happen one way or the other. So I have no way of knowing. We’re preparing both ways, actually. Which makes it a little bit tougher.”
Farmer was expected to be a starting tackle heading into camp.
Late last month, a pair of defensive linemen, Shawn Underwood and Greg Webb, abruptly decided to leave the football program.
Underwood played in 20 games the past two seasons, starting five of those contests. He would’ve entered summer camp as a favorite to land a starting job.
Webb, a touted four-star member of UNC’s 2013 recruiting class, took a redshirt as a true freshman last season and would’ve been a part of the line rotation.