UNC offensive lineman, Miami transfer helps Tar Heels prepare for game against Canes

C.L. Brown
Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com

Corey Gaynor has been the man to see this week at North Carolina. The graduate transfer at center played five seasons with Miami before joining the Tar Heels in the spring.

UNC (4-1, 1-0 ACC) travels to face the Hurricanes (2-2, 0-0) Saturday at 4 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium. And many players, including those on the defensive line, have sought out Gaynor’s informal scouting report on the Canes personnel and what to expect.

“He’s told us a couple different things like playing your keys because they give you a chance,” defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie said. “Reading my keys is one of the main things he told me to look for.”

Gaynor’s been dishing plenty to his teammates about Miami’s offensive and defensive lines as a rare transfer who almost immediately earned a place of leadership with his new team. Just don’t expect to hear Gaynor through media outlets. The Parkland, Fla., native has declined all media requests since fall camp started.

That doesn’t mean he’s unapproachable.

Defensive end Des Evans struck up a friendship with Gaynor in August when he was just looking for a place to review game video.

“I was about to go watch film, I went to the o-line room because they got a big TV and I saw him in there,” Evans said. “I know you’re an OG (veteran) in college football right now and can you help me out?”

Evans and the Heels’ defensive line could use all the tips they can get against Miami. The Canes have only allowed eight sacks this season.

Gaynor is hoping to add to that total vicariously by running down the former teammates he had and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. He started the first three games for the Canes last season then was sidelined the rest of the way with an injury, so he had a lot of time to observe and a lot of knowledge to drop.

Evans said Gaynor would point out things like a player jumping out on his set faster than another. It’s why Evans said on his free time, he spends a lot of time in the offensive line room to talk to Gaynor because “he’s an older guy he’s been in it a while.”

“I play d-line, so I’m not really supposed to be there,” Evans said. “But we’re all cool, we’re all fam, we’re all trying to win and that’s what he understands. He’s been in the game for like five years. The ending point is just winning and that’s what I’m trying to do, win.”

How to watch UNC vs Miami football game

The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. It is also available on the ESPN App with an ESPN+ subscription, and through various subscription apps that carry ACC Network, such as Hulu and YouTube TV. The link to watch it is here.

Vegas betting odds

Miami is a 3.5-point favorite, according to VegasInsider.com’s consensus line.

Pregame reading

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