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CHAPEL HILL – A new era in North Carolina’s wide receiver room is underway. The third of Mack Brown part two, and it might be the most intriguing.

Josh Downs, who had 1,000-yard seasons the last two falls, and Antoine Green are off to the NFL, but the coffers are hardly bare for the Tar Heels. Some talented young players remain in the program, but to fortify that room, Brown and his staff went to the transfer portal where they picked up a pair of accomplished players who are expected to have immediate impacts in Carolina’s passing game.

Despite both missing multiple games last season, Downs and Green combined to catch 137 passes for 1,827 yards and 18 touchdowns. They were workhorses, especially Downs, who grabbed 94 balls a year after setting the school records for catches (101) and yards (1,335) in 2021. He missed three games last season.

No worries in Chapel Hill, though.

“It’s just like with Dyami (Brown) and Dazz (Newsome) before Josh and Antoine,” sophomore Kobe Paysour said. “It’s just like different eras, and I feel like this is our era to step up and take the opportunity.”

Brown and Newsome combined for three 1,000-yard seasons in a two-year span in 2019 and 2020. When they moved on, questions were constant about how UNC would replace their production. Downs and Green took care of that.

Paysour is the leading returning pass catchers with 29 a year ago, also for 324 yards and four scores. He filled in at slot for Downs in three games, in which he caught 20 passes and scored three times. UNC’s staff believes he could have a breakout year.

J.J. Jones was the third starter last season, and although he missed spring practice with an injury, will be in the mix after catching 24 passes with 434 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Gavin Blackwell hauled in 18 balls for 239 yards and a score.

That is a solid trio, but the staff wanted more, so they dove into the portal and came up with Georgia Tech transfer Nate McCollum and Kent State transfer Dontez (Tez) Walker.

“Losing Antoine Green and Josh, that’s a large majority of our passing game at wide receiver, specifically,” Carolina's coach said. “So, we felt like we had to address those needs. We like what we’ve got on campus, but you get a guy like Tez Walker, he’s a lot like Antoine Green. You get a guy like Nate McCollum, he’s a lot like Josh Downs.”

McCollum (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) caught 60 passes running routes for three different quarterbacks at Georgia Tech last season. He also went for 655 yards and three scores. He did not play in the Yellow Jackets’ surprising win at UNC.

Walker (6-foot-2.5, 195 pounds) hauled in 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 scores. He had a 47-yard touchdown reception at Washington, and went for 106 yards and a score on seven receptions in a loss at Georgia.

It didn’t take long for the Tar Heels to realize both players are big additions to the offense.

“Tez and Nate are great guys, first of all, and great players,” UNC quarterback Drake Maye said. “You see them out here making plays.”

It wouldn’t be a stretch projecting McCollum and Walker lead Carolina in receptions this season, which might be tough on returning players who believe it’s their time. But the vibe around the Kenan Football Center has been team-first since the loss to Oregon in the Holiday Bowl, and that sentiment emanates from the receiver room.

It also helps that McCollum and Walker are easily likeable.

“We all really just bonded, it’s like a family here,” Paysour said. “When anybody comes in, we accept them as family. On the field, They’re doing pretty good. Tez burns everybody every time. Nate, same way. Good receiver.”

It’s not just that quintet. First-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey says he wants a solid rotation of six guys that can play a lot of snaps, which means there is room for another player in that group.

Early odds might suggest redshirt freshman and former 4-star receiver Andre Greene is that guy.

Bothered by a lower back injury for a good chunk of last season, Greene was also battling the adjustment of going from high school to college, and doing so without enrolling early. So, he was definitely a work-in-progress a year ago. But Greene came on strong in spring practice, and with his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and breathtaking speed, he should be a factor as well.

“Andre Greene is definitely one of the guys,” Lindsey said when referencing players in the mix for the six-man rotation. “He’s taking those steps forward. And I think for him just playing with confidence all the time, and being able to let his natural ability to take over.

“Sometimes, guys get out and they think too much and slow themselves down. We just want him to go relax and play, and he’s done a better job at that.”

Lindsey has tremendous appreciation for the room. Brown said receiver is the least of their concerns, and Maye is pleased with the many options he will have this fall.

“I think we’ve got a good group,” the star QB said.

A good group ready to create its own era.