5/14/2016 football Edit

No. 18: David Drechsler

David Drechsler paved the way for some of Carolina's best tailbacks ever in the early 1980s.

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

Publisher

Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

No. 18

Name: David Drechsler

Position: OG

Jersey #: 43

Years: 1979-82

Honors: 2-time, 1st-team All-America in 1981 and 1982; 2-time, 1st-team All-ACC;

Notable Stats: NA

In Closing: One of the most athletic offensive linemen in UNC history, Drechsler played every position on the line, but was entrenched at guard his last couple of seasons. Perhaps the best pulling guard in Carolina history, too. The Tar Heels had five different running backs run for 1,000 yards or more during Drechsler’s career. And in 1981, the offensive line was opening holes early in the season for Kelvin Bryant, who was on pace to make a major challenge for the Heisman Trophy through the first month of the season until an injury derailed that effort.

The Heels also won all four of their bowl games in those seasons producing at least one 100-yard rusher in each game, plus two in a win over Arkansas. The Heels defeated Michigan once and Texas twice, both times in the state of Texas, in the other bowl games. The 1980 and 1981 teams finished ranked in the top-10 in part because of smash-mouth offenses that were led by some of the best offensive lines in Carolina history, and Drechsler was the leader of that group.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Natrone Means

29 - Jack Merritt

28 - Landon Turner

27 - Chris Hanburger

26 - Jeff Saturday

25 - Bob Lacey

24 - Bracey Walker

23 - Ethan Horton

22 - Brian Blados

21 - Leon Johnson

20 - George Barclay