After seeing a career-low usage rate in 2023, running back Darwin Barlow knew he needed to find a new home in the transfer portal.

Barlow spent the first four years of his college football career at TCU and USC, with the latter two in Southern California. Barlow's usage progressively dropped in each season as a Trojan – 289 rushing yards on 62 carries in 2021, 96 rushing yards on 16 carries in 2022, then 81 yards on just eight carries a season ago.

When Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels came calling, Barlow knew Chapel Hill was the place for him.

Barlow won't be starting this fall, as UNC has the country's top running back in Omarion Hampton, but I expect Barlow to see the field a lot. That is, significantly more than during his time at USC.

Whether Barlow plays in two running back sets with Hampton, is utilized primarily as a pass-catcher or in another role, Barlow is thankful North Carolina took a chance on him.

From watching Barlow's emotional interview, you can tell playing for the Tar Heels will be greater than football for him. If I know anything about Brown's recruiting efforts, he sold UNC to Barlow as more than just a place he'll come play football.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Barlow can bring to North Carolina this coming season. He gets a chance to join an ACC offensive unit recently amongst the country's best.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC running back Darwin Barlow extremely thankful