University of North Carolina Athletics
GoHeels Exclusive: Saturday Scrimmage Notes
August 19, 2017 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Play of the day
Devin Perry hasn't drawn quite as much attention as the other North Carolina receivers who might replace Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard this fall.
But the speed and athleticism he displayed during the Tar Heels' third scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Kenan Stadium showed why Perry should be in the mix.
Three of Perry's catches on Saturday went for 90 yards. The first came on an early third-and-10, when he boxed out a cornerback for a 28-yard grab, setting up Johnathon Sutton's 2-yard touchdown run on the following play. The second occurred when he beat double coverage to snag a 32-yard pass from Nathan Elliott.
However, both of those fell short in comparison to the third.
On a first-and-10 from the defense's 30-yard line, Brandon Harris led Perry with a deep ball toward the right side of the end zone. Perry dove just before he crossed the goal line and hauled the ball in for a touchdown, despite being draped by a cornerback.
The nearby offensive sideline erupted. And before he could even stand, Perry was surrounded by his celebrating teammates.
Three who stood out
Harris: His arm strength might be his greatest asset, and he showed why multiple times on Saturday. In addition to his 30-yard touchdown to Perry, Harris also completed passes of 44 and 45 yards. One of his best throws of the day came early on, when he rolled right and found Brandon Fritts for 28 yards on a crossing route.
Corey Bell Jr.: Speaking with reporters on Friday, John Papuchis said Bell has made the most of his opportunity in the secondary during camp. Bell backed Papuchis' comments with another impressive showing on Saturday. On a third-and-9, he made a nice adjustment on a throw deep down the sideline, turning around just in time to breakup the pass. A few possessions later, he recorded an interception.
Anthony Ratliff-Williams: The converted quarterback continues to steadily progress as a receiver and show signs of being a reliable option in the passing game. He and Chazz Surratt connected for a 20-yard touchdown early in Saturday's scrimmage, and Harris later found Ratliff-Williams for 44 yards. Ratliff-Williams also ran a great curl route on a third-and-2 from the offense's 9-yard line, coming back to the ball to make the six-yard, first-down catch.
Other observations
· K.J. Sails made a great pass deflection when he came charging from behind to swat the ball away from a receiver on a second-and-5.
· After the offense began a drive on the defense's 40-yard line, Patrice Rene broke up a third-and-12 pass along the sideline, just behind the first-down marker.
· Rene's play set up a 45-yard made field goal by Freeman Jones, whose only other field goal attempt came during an overtime simulation toward the end of practice. When Jones lined up for his 39-yard try then, Larry Fedora called a timeout to ice him. But Jones still made the field goal to improve to 9-for-9 through UNC's three scrimmages.
· Jordon Riley continues to make the most of his reps. The freshman recorded a sack on a fourth-and-10 and later made a tackle for loss on a third-and-1 run.
· Jason Strowbridge also had an impressive performance along the defensive line, constantly pressuring the quarterbacks. On another drive that started on the defense's 40-yard line, his first-down sack helped the defense force a three-and-out.
Â
Play of the day
Devin Perry hasn't drawn quite as much attention as the other North Carolina receivers who might replace Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard this fall.
But the speed and athleticism he displayed during the Tar Heels' third scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Kenan Stadium showed why Perry should be in the mix.
Three of Perry's catches on Saturday went for 90 yards. The first came on an early third-and-10, when he boxed out a cornerback for a 28-yard grab, setting up Johnathon Sutton's 2-yard touchdown run on the following play. The second occurred when he beat double coverage to snag a 32-yard pass from Nathan Elliott.
However, both of those fell short in comparison to the third.
On a first-and-10 from the defense's 30-yard line, Brandon Harris led Perry with a deep ball toward the right side of the end zone. Perry dove just before he crossed the goal line and hauled the ball in for a touchdown, despite being draped by a cornerback.
The nearby offensive sideline erupted. And before he could even stand, Perry was surrounded by his celebrating teammates.
Three who stood out
Harris: His arm strength might be his greatest asset, and he showed why multiple times on Saturday. In addition to his 30-yard touchdown to Perry, Harris also completed passes of 44 and 45 yards. One of his best throws of the day came early on, when he rolled right and found Brandon Fritts for 28 yards on a crossing route.
Corey Bell Jr.: Speaking with reporters on Friday, John Papuchis said Bell has made the most of his opportunity in the secondary during camp. Bell backed Papuchis' comments with another impressive showing on Saturday. On a third-and-9, he made a nice adjustment on a throw deep down the sideline, turning around just in time to breakup the pass. A few possessions later, he recorded an interception.
Anthony Ratliff-Williams: The converted quarterback continues to steadily progress as a receiver and show signs of being a reliable option in the passing game. He and Chazz Surratt connected for a 20-yard touchdown early in Saturday's scrimmage, and Harris later found Ratliff-Williams for 44 yards. Ratliff-Williams also ran a great curl route on a third-and-2 from the offense's 9-yard line, coming back to the ball to make the six-yard, first-down catch.
Other observations
· K.J. Sails made a great pass deflection when he came charging from behind to swat the ball away from a receiver on a second-and-5.
· After the offense began a drive on the defense's 40-yard line, Patrice Rene broke up a third-and-12 pass along the sideline, just behind the first-down marker.
· Rene's play set up a 45-yard made field goal by Freeman Jones, whose only other field goal attempt came during an overtime simulation toward the end of practice. When Jones lined up for his 39-yard try then, Larry Fedora called a timeout to ice him. But Jones still made the field goal to improve to 9-for-9 through UNC's three scrimmages.
· Jordon Riley continues to make the most of his reps. The freshman recorded a sack on a fourth-and-10 and later made a tackle for loss on a third-and-1 run.
· Jason Strowbridge also had an impressive performance along the defensive line, constantly pressuring the quarterbacks. On another drive that started on the defense's 40-yard line, his first-down sack helped the defense force a three-and-out.
Â
Players Mentioned
Cornerback
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Tight End
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Place-Kicker
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Cornerback
/ Football
Defensive Line
/ Football
Cornerback
/ Football
Defensive Line
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Tailback
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ FootballHubert Davis Pre-BYU Press Conference
Wednesday, October 22
Bill Belichick Coach's Corner - Episode 7 - October 22, 2025
Wednesday, October 22
Offensive Lineman Chad Lindberg Media Availability - 10/21
Tuesday, October 21
Defensive Lineman Leroy Jackson Media Availability - 10/21
Tuesday, October 21