GoHeels Exclusive: Opportunities Abound As Camp Opens

by Pat James, GoHeels.com

CHAPEL HILL—Speaking with media members on Wednesday, a few short minutes removed from the conclusion of North Carolina's first preseason practice, Larry Fedora paused.

A question had just arisen about Dazz Newsome's position on the offensive depth chart, and Fedora started to respond when, with his hands spread out by his sides as one might do when they're puzzled, he interrupted himself with his own question.

"There really were no 1's, where were the 1's? …" Fedora asked, regarding UNC's first-team offense. "We really don't have an established depth chart right now."

College coaches across the country often minimize the importance of depth charts this early in the season, when playmaking is vastly overshadowed by the retention of the playbook. But Fedora's response was appropriate and speaks volumes to the offensive project that the Tar Heels began on Wednesday at Kenan Stadium.

Gone are Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Switzer. Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan, too. And as players bounced between drills, Mack Hollins, whose screaming during such stretches became a staple of practices in recent years, was noticeably absent.

Overall, UNC returns five starters from its record-setting 2016 offense and just 12.7 percent of its total offensive yards (passing, rushing and receiving), which is the lowest amount of any Power 5 program.

But with such losses come opportunities.

Newcomers, either freshmen or graduate transfers, and returnees who have been waiting for their chance are determined to maintain the same level of offensive success that has become customary in Fedora's first five seasons with the Tar Heels.

"Losing some of these seniors, you can tell there's a lot of competition going on," Brandon Fritts said, "especially individual positions – which is great to have because people are going to give their best every single day.

"It's really exciting to see it, and I think it's going to make our team that much better."

With growing pains expected on offense, Fedora recently said UNC will heavily rely on the defense this season, especially early on.

That remained a topic of discussion Tuesday night, when Andre Smith said John Papuchis talked to the defense – which returns seven starters – about the meaning of such expectations.

"It would be no fun if we just had to go out there just to be out there," said Smith, one of three returning starters at linebacker. "Now that we have that expectation and that pressure, it just gives us an expectation to reach, exceed and go far beyond. We're doing whatever we have to do to win games."

Still, some doubters question whether a program can recover from the amount of losses the Tar Heels' offense was dealt this offseason.

Following Wednesday's practice, multiple players acknowledged the departure of such stalwarts. Yet, they also appeared confident in what the offense can still accomplish.

"I'm extremely excited about what this team has to offer to our fans, to this university," Austin Proehl said. "We're going to go out there and compete. I understand why people are doubting us. We lost a lot of guys, but we've got a bunch of guys who want to prove themselves and have a chip on their shoulder.

"…We have a lot to prove. We know that, and we're ready to do it. We're ready to show people who we are, who the 2017 football team is."

Players Mentioned

Brandon Fritts

Mack Hollins

Elijah Hood

T.J. Logan

Dazz Newsome

Austin Proehl

Andre Smith

Ryan Switzer

Mitch Trubisky

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