T.J. Yates began his senior season as a question mark and ended it as a fifth-round pick in the NFL draft.

The UNC quarterback went from scapegoat to star in 2010, leading the Tar Heels through an NCAA investigation, both on the field as the school's first 3,000-yard passer, and off the field as a leader and team spokesman with the media.

CHAPEL HILL — After all of the turmoil caused by an ongoing NCAA investigation and an 0-2 start, the University of North Carolina finds itself in the season's second month with a second chance.

The Tar Heels beat East Carolina on Saturday 42-17 at Kenan Stadium to recalibrate their season and even their record despite having to deal with one distraction after another.

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina senior safety Da'Norris Searcy, one of 12 Tar Heels football players held out of the previous three games, has been cleared to play, the university announced this afternoon.

When North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour announced that the NCAA’s investigation into potential improper contact with agents had spawned a second, separate probe into potential academic misconduct, he cautioned -- twice -- not to jump to any conclusions when names started to trickle out.

But with Marvin Austin already suspended for violating team rules, NCAA punishment handed down to Alabama’s Marcell Dareus and this morning’s announcement that 12 players will not play in Saturday’s game against Louisiana State and three more aren’t traveling to Atlanta but may play, let’s jump to a couple conclusions.

North Carolina has declared six football players ineligible for Saturday’s season-opening against No. 21 Louisana State for breaking school and/or NCAA rules and is withholding at least six others while the investigation continues, the university announced this morning.

UNC is still waiting to establish the eligibility of three other players.

In all, 15 Tar Heels players did not travel to Atlanta with the team this morning for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game.

UNC released its two-deep chart for Saturday's opener against The Citadel (6 p.m.). There were few surprises but among the highlights:

• Sophomore Zach Brown will get the starting nod at weakside linebacker over freshman Kevin Reddick. Brown, the hero of timing day with a 4.28 in the 40, played primarily on special teams last season.