CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina has announced rising junior C.J. Cotman will medically retire due to recurrent migraines. Cotman will continue to assist the program as he pursues his degree.

Cotman appeared in eight games through his first two seasons at defensive back and on special teams. His decision means the Tar Heels will be thin at cornerback during spring drills.

Last week, rising senior K.J. Sails announced on Twitter that he was leaving the program to pursue "other opportunities." Sails had started 11 games in 2017 but played four games last year before being lost to injury.

That leaves the Tar Heels with five scholarship cornerbacks working through spring drills. New coach Mack Brown said Tuesday: "We'll just have to work through it and see what we've got."