When r Ty Chandler transferred to UNC from Tennessee before the 2021 college football season, it didn’t take long for him to showcase why he was such a special player.

Chandler ended his Volunteers career Top-5 in all-purpose yards, so there was a lot of hope he could produce at that same level in Chapel Hill.

By the end of his lone year at UNC, Chandler joined a long list of Tar Heel running back on the 1,000-yard rushing list. The Minnesota Vikings saw something special in Chandler, taking him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Chandler now has the opportunity that every young football players dreams of – starting his first NFL game.

He’ll be doing so on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m., as the Vikings travel to Cincinnati and take on the Bengals, in a game that has major playoff implications for both teams.

Chandler hardly played last year, but he’s showcased his RB1 upside in extended action for Minnesota this season.

His best statistical game came in the Vikings’ 21-20 loss at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 19, totaling 110 scrimmage yards. The week before – in a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints, Chandler scored his first NFL touchdown.

Overall this year, Chandler has 203 rushing yards on 49 carries, a rushing touchdown and 90 receiving yards on 13 receptions.

Dalvin Cook being released in the offseason opened the door for more Chandler playing time. Chandler’s taking advantage of it so far and, on Saturday afternoon, he has a golden chance to showcase he’s Minnesota’s running back of the future.

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Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire