UNC Football: Trech Kekahuna: Born on an Island, Playing on Another

There may not be a UNC player better suited for Saturday's trip to Ireland than Trech Kekahuna.

Kekahuna grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. On Saturday, the UNC wide receiver will play in Dublin, Ireland, in the Tar Heels' first international game in program history. So let me ask the obvious question: How can a Hawaiian receiver not play well in a game on an island? Maybe we're stretching the geography a little. But there is actually a football reason to believe Kekahuna could be one of UNC's unsung heroes against TCU.

Receivers are often asked to beat defensive backs when they're isolated on an island. Kekahuna should be pretty comfortable with that concept. After all, he grew up on one. And if TCU decides to leave him isolated against a corner, perhaps UNC has found the perfect guy for the assignment.

Kekahuna brings experience and versatility to a UNC receiver room that will be under plenty of pressure Saturday. He also has a previous relationship with Billy Edwards Jr., giving the Tar Heels' new quarterback another familiar target as he takes over the offense. Kekahuna doesn't need to become UNC's leading receiver for this to be a successful game. He needs to make TCU pay enough when given opportunities that the Horned Frogs can't simply ignore him.

That could mean quick throws, underneath routes, motion or finding ways to get him the ball in space. If Bobby Petrino can create those opportunities, Kekahuna has the skill set to turn a few touches into meaningful plays.

A Hawaiian receiver playing football in Ireland. Defensive backs trying to cover him on an island. If there was ever a game designed for Trech Kekahuna to make an impact, this might be it.

And if a few TCU defensive backs get stranded on an island along the way, well, that's just good football.