2026 UNC Football Breakdown: RB Demon June
· Yahoo Sports
Demon June gave North Carolina’s offense a badly needed jolt in 2025, flashing the kind of open-field burst that can flip drives — and games — in a single snap.
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The Jacksonville, North Carolina, native led the Tar Heels in rushing and was a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield. Even as North Carolina struggled to run the ball consistently, June’s explosiveness kept defenses honest and hinted at what the ground game could be.
What follows is a breakdown of June’s debut season — from basic stats and advanced analytics to his PFF grades — and a brief look at what North Carolina can realistically expect from him in 2026.
Demon June 2025 Recap
June emerged as UNC’s lead back last season, carrying 84 times for 464 yards and two touchdowns while adding 17 catches for 159 yards, the third-highest receiving total on the team. He broke out in his first career start on Sept. 11 against Richmond, ripping off 148 yards, and later topped the century mark again with 101 yards against Syracuse. That 148-yard performance was the most by a UNC freshman since Michael Carter in 2017.
The numbers back up his big-play ability. June forced 15 missed tackles and logged 11 runs of 10 yards or more, finishing with a 47.7 percent breakaway rate. He was also dangerous in the passing game, averaging 12.7 yards after the catch on 17 receptions, with one drop and one touchdown. PFF credited him with a 94.1 elusive rating for the season.
There was some boom-or-bust to his year.
Richmond (148 yards), Syracuse (102), Charlotte (52) and UCF (50) accounted for 352 of his rushing yards, just over 75 percent of his season total. Strip out Richmond, Charlotte and Syracuse — 44 carries for 302 yards and two scores at 6.86 yards per carry — and his remaining line of 40 carries for 163 yards (4.08 yards per carry) mirrors the production of the other backs who took more of the work against the tougher defenses.
As a starter in the final three games against Wake Forest, Duke and NC State, he managed 44 yards on 17 carries (2.59 yards per carry) without a touchdown.
PFF Grades
YrOvrRushFumRun BlkRecDrpPass Blk202569.873.775.971.355.760.028.9Demon June's 2026 Season Outlook
June enters the 2026 season competing for the starting running back job, which he held at the end of 2025. Given his versatility and production as a receiver, he is expected to open the year as North Carolina’s lead back after emerging as the Tar Heels’ most reliable option out of the backfield last season.
Even if he starts, June is likely to share touches with at least two other backs, most likely Benjamin Hall and Kaleb Jackson. Compared to Hall and Jackson, June profiles more as a scatback and has shown he can be an effective pass catcher out of the backfield. While he might not get the most carries, he is likely to get the most snaps.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: 2026 UNC Football Breakdown: RB Demon June