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2-time All-ACC WR Downs leaving UNC for NFL
11:00 AM ET Pete ThamelESPN Two-time All-ACC pass receiver Josh Downs is leaving North Carolina for the NFL, he informed
ESPN.Downs is the No. 4-rated wide receiver in the upcoming draft, according to ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, making him one of the leading receiving prospects available for NFL teams.Downs had back-to-back seasons of more than 1,000 backyards receiving for the Tar Heels and caught 22 career touchdown passes. In just 3 seasons at UNC
, he rose to No. 4 on the school’s all-time getting list (2,483) and No. 2 in touchdown catches.He will not play in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl against Oregon.2 Related Downs stated he concerned the choice after talking with his daddy, Gary
Downs, who is a previous NFL player who is an assistant coach at East Tennessee State, and his
coaches at
North Carolina.”I decided to take it to the next level and declare for the NFL draft, “he told ESPN.Downs stated he’s positive that he’s the”best wide receiver in the draft”and encouraged critics to dig into
his movie.”I just seem like when you switch on the tape, I regularly win over and over and make plays
with the ball when it comes my way, “he said.Downs is listed on his UNC bio at 5-foot-10 1/2 and 175 pounds and his closest NFL comp will be previous Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Downs said he’s positive he can play both inside and out in the NFL. He said he’ll begin training quickly at EXOS and will head there full-time after the vacations. ” I’m delighted to show my genuine speed in the 40,” he said. “I’m going to run a 4.3. I’ll put my name on it today. “Downs credits his dad’s NFL profession for”jump-starting “his own profession and feels honored for the possibility to follow him to the league.”I matured boasting on my father playing in the NFL,”he stated. “He was my good example. Obviously I wished to do the same thing.”An NFL scout who studied Downs called him the best draft-eligible “prospect in the state of North Carolina this year.”He stated Downs’adaptability on special groups returning punts for UNC makes him more attractive. “He’s not huge, however he’s muscled up, “the scout said. “He’s got enough thickness to him. He fasts as a feline, can get open and can be a vibrant playmaker with the ball. All these NFL receivers are such playmakers now, it’s altered the manner in which teams take a look at the position.”Downs caught balls at UNC from 2 of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football– Sam Howell and Drake Maye, who is anticipated to be a top choice in the 2024 draft. Downs said he picked to bet Mack Brown at North Carolina because of just recently left organizer Phil Longo’s vibrant offense and the method it passed the ball. He complimented Longo’s creativity
to move him around and get him the ball.He stated he feels lucky to have had two great quarterbacks assist him display his skills. At his next stop, Downs stated one quality will specify him. “I feel like I’m the hardest employee in America,”he stated,”and nobody is going to outwork me.”