Why freshman Demon June’s breakout game against Richmond matters for UNC

If you could go back in time, not too far, just Saturday morning, and tell Demon “Juju” June that he’d erupt for 148 yards and a touchdown against Richmond, he’d probably have a few questions.

The work he’s done since arriving at North Carolina, though, provides all the answers.

The fact that June even saw the field on Saturday afternoon seemed improbable months ago. UNC coach Bill Belichick said the running back started at “bottom of the depth chart and just kind of worked his way up.” June’s impressive showings in practices led to his college debut against Charlotte on Sept. 6. He became the team’s leading rusher after nine carries against the 49ers and, in UNC’s 41-6 drubbing of the Spiders on Saturday, unofficially secured the team’s top running back spot.

“He’s earned it,” Belichick said of June. “Nobody gave him anything. He started at the bottom of the depth chart and just kind of worked his way up. He’s had some opportunities and has done pretty well with them.”

June recorded the most productive single-game performance by a UNC freshman running back in nearly eight years. The Jacksonville native’s 148 yards are the most by a Tar Heel rookie back since Michael Carter racked up 157 yards against Virginia in October 2017.

Starting off fast

June kicked off the game by breaking out for a 50-yard carry — the longest run for a North Carolina freshman since Omarion Hampton against Georgia State in 2022 — and tacked on a 45-yard touchdown burst in the fourth quarter. In between those explosives, June provided glints of excellence in what was an otherwise uninspiring offensive performance for UNC against an FCS opponent.

The freshman broke tackles. He reeled in a catch for 19 yards on a screen pass in the second quarter. There was nothing too flashy about his game. June repeated after the win that he simply focuses on running north to south — “it gets you to where you got to go is the quickest way,” he explained.

Belichick, though, credited the wide-eyed freshman for his ability to earn yards on his own.

“That’s a big thing,” Belichick said. “The plays are blocked for a certain amount of yards — five yards, six yards, two yards -– and then we’ll let the back get it on his own after the first contact or after he can make that first guy miss.”

June’s early 50-yard carry? It was intended, Belichick said, to be a short-yardage play. He said the Tar Heels “didn’t really block it that well.”

“There were two unblocked guys in or near the hole,” Belichick said. “And he made ‘em miss and turned it into a long run.”

June’s blend of power and vision has swiftly propelled him from an afterthought, a rookie to be developed for the future, to (presumably) the heart of UNC’s rushing attack.

June’s journey up the depth chart

The freshman isn’t super talkative, though certainly not as quiet as Hampton. June prefers to credit his offensive line and coaches for his success. But even he would admit the learning curve at UNC has been steep — and humbling at times.

June’s “welcome to college” moment came during the team’s first week in pads.

“That pass pro pickup drill, you know,” June said with a smile before hitting the podium to accentuate what happened next, “I got put on my butt.”

“I thank the guys for that,” June continued, “because it’s shaped me into being the guy I am now.”

Since then, June’s confidence and comfort has grown. Lopez didn’t get to watch June’s development in the spring (the quarterback transferred during the spring portal window), but said he’s been impressed with how the rookie has improved throughout fall camp.

Lopez joked June got “hawked down” at the end of his 50-yard rush, but commended the running back on how he showed up every day — regardless of if he was practicing with the first or third-string offense.

“He didn’t care who he was going against,” Lopez said. “If it was basics, it didn’t matter. He was going to run hard, he was going to execute what he was supposed to do. And I think it shows what happens when you work hard. You’re gonna get a good situation and get what you deserve.”

Belichick said he’s had plenty of players over the years who, like June, were able to work their way up the ladder. He named New England Patriots Super Bowl winners Troy Brown, Julian Edelman and Rex Burkhead as examples.

And though UNC’s competition will undoubtedly get tougher starting next week with UCF, Belichick provided a glimpse into June’s future.

“He’s continuing to make progress,” Belichick said. “Can’t let today go to his head. He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s got a great future if he can keep doing the same things.”