UNC Loses Key Wide Receiver Following Program Departure

There have been a few notable players who haven’t played as much or none at all, including offensive lineman Austin Blaske and defensive end Pryce Yates due to injury.

North Carolina redshirt sophomore wide receiver Aziah Johnson, who has played sparingly this season, has left the team. The news was first reported by Inside Carolina. At 6-foot-0 and 175 pounds, he appeared in just one of UNC's first three games, getting five snaps in the Tar Heels' 20-3 win at Charlotte. His final tallies were one reception for six yards and one drop.

Johnson transferred to UNC last winter, committing to the program in December, not long after taking an official visit. Previously, Johnson spent two seasons at Michigan State, where last fall he caught 16 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. 

Johnson received his first scholarship offer from North Carolina when he was in high school. Johnson, who prepped at Jefferson High School in Richmond, Va., had been primarily a defensive back, turning in a strong junior season. However,  Johnson was featured more on offense and his new role highlighted a larger portion of his skillset. Six games into his senior year, he had nearly 20 all-purpose touchdowns and more than 500 receiving yards, helping lead Jefferson to an undefeated season.

The breakout drew offers from a variety of Power Four programs such as Duke, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Michigan State. After taking official visits to Michigan State and Virginia Tech, Johnson ultimately committed to the Spartans.

The Foundation Has Been Set