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Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) reacts after a touchdown catch in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
If you watched the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2013-2016 college football seasons, chances are you witnessed a certain wide receiver deliver several, electric punt returns.
If you remember those same years, you also likely saw that same UNC player catch nearly every ball that was thrown to him.
Okay, enough with the mystery. That former Tar Heel is none other than Ryan Switzer, who was named the Tulsa Golden Hurricane’s interim head coach on Monday afternoon.
Switzer replaces former Indiana head coach and Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, another former North Carolina player (1980-1983), who went 7-16 in just under two seasons as the Tulsa head man.
Switzer was an integral part of the Larry Fedora era, playing arguably the top offensive role in leading UNC to four straight bowl appearances, which included a 2013 Belk Bowl victory over Cincinnati.
Switzer caught 244 passes for 2,907 yards and 19 touchdowns over four seasons, which made him the Tar Heels’ all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
As impactful as Switzer was in North Carolina’s passing game, he was even more of a factor in the punt return game.
Switzer is UNC’s leader in punt return yardage (1,082) and touchdowns (7), the latter of which is most in ACC history and one short of the NCAA’s all-time mark. Switzer’s five return TDs in 2013 tied him with former Hawaii standout Chad Owens, who initially set the mark in 2004.
NFL teams noticed Switzer’s collegiate prowess, but it was the Dallas Cowboys who made him their 2017, fourth-round NFL Draft selection.
Switzer’s best years were with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though – and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/record-setting-unc-football-standout-011428084.html
Author : Tar Heels Wire
Publish date : 2024-11-26 01:14:00
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