With recent standouts like Josh Downs, Antoine Green and Devontez Walker on the roster, there isn't much attention on other North Carolina Tar Heels wide receivers.

Downs finished his UNC career with 2,483 receiving yards, the second-most in program history, then rose quickly to become one of the NFL's top young receivers with a strong rookie campaign in 2023.

Green started alongside Downs in Chapel Hill during the 2022 season, racking up 798 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Walker was ineligible for UNC's first four games of the 2023 campaign, but he still led all pass-catchers with seven touchdowns. Walker is now on the Baltimore Ravens, giving 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson yet another young weapon on the outside.

With all of the above three now in the NFL, a ton of opportunity opens up on the Tar Heels' depth chart. One of the greatest opportunities goes to junior Kobe Paysour, who started North Carolina's first five games last year before a season-ending injury. Paysour was in line to play during the Duke's Mayo Bowl again, but re-injured himself.

UNC has yet to figure out a starting quarterback, so a veteran like Paysour will prove to be a reliable presence. He caught multiple touchdowns and recorded at least 275 yards in each of the Tar Heels' past two seasons, figures that I bet will only grow with a new-look receiving corps in 2024.

Let's learn a little bit more about Paysour, who is poised for a breakout season in which he could very well be a 12-game starter.

Player Biography

Hometown: Kings Mountain, N.C.

High School: Kings Mountain

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 190 lbs.

Class: Junior

Paysour's UNC stats

2023: Started UNC's first five games before a season-ending broken foot, catching 22 passes for 282 yards (12.8 YPC, 56.4 YPG) and three touchdowns.

2022: Started four of 12 games for North Carolina, catching 29 passes for 324 yards (11.2 YPC, 27 YPG) and four touchdowns.

2021: Played against Georgia State and did not record a single statistic.

Paysour's fit on UNC's depth chart

The Tar Heels have a ton of unproven talent outside of J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum on their wide receiver depth chart, so Paysour arguably fits anywhere.

If UNC rolls out any three wide receiver sets, Paysour starts. If North Carolina primarily runs 2-wide receiver sets, Paysour is a backup.

McCollum showed a lot of promise while Walker was ineligible last season, so it's hard to argue taking him out of a starting spot. J.J. Jones is the Tar Heels' top guy, so Paysour won't unseat him.

Potential fears for Paysour

Paysour missed most of 2023 with a broken foot, so my greatest fear with him is getting back to full-speed.

Rest and rehab are the two best things Paysour could've done for his foot, but not playing since the Syracuse game last October could hurt. We'll see how much effect nearly a year off from games has on Paysour.

Realistic expectations for 2024

Paysour has the talent to break out for over 500 yards and rise to become UNC's top wide receiver, a goal that will be determined by a combination of: how quickly Paysour's foot heals, plus Jones and McCollum's production.

I think Paysour finishes 2024 in the 350-450-yard range, but catches a couple more touchdowns. Paysour's production also really depends on who starts, as he's never caught passes from Max Johnson, Conner Harrell or Jacolby Criswell (who played at UNC in both 2021 and 2022 with Paysour).

Looking back at Paysour as a recruit

According to Paysour's 247Sports Composite recruiting profile, he was the Class of 2021's 68th-ranked wide receiver nationally and South Carolina's fourth-ranked player overall. Paysour chose the Tar Heels amongst 18 total offers, including ones from in-state rivals Wake Forest, NC State and archrival Duke.

Paysour on social media

X (Formerly Twitter): @kobepaysour8

Instagram: @kobepaysour_

Paysour hauling in touchdown against Georgia State

Paysour trying to escape a tackle against App State

Paysour celebrating a touchdown

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : 2024 UNC football Player Profile for wide receiver Kobe Paysour