University of North Carolina Athletics
2000 Carolina Football Preview
August 2, 2000 | Football
Aug. 2, 2000
Carolina enters 2000 ready to build on the improvement last year's 3-8 team showed in the final month of a disappointing 1999 season. The Tar Heels were decimated a year ago by injury and failed to receive a postseason bowl bid for the first time in seven seasons. Carolina took its first strides toward erasing the memory of a frustrating season, however, by putting together a productive five-week spring season that leaves plenty of optimism heading into 2000.
This is a Carolina program that won its final two games over archrivals NC State and Duke, and it returns 10 starters from a defense that held its opponents without a touchdown in the final 10 quarters. Third-year head coach Carl Torbush has added a trio of new offensive coaches to bolster a unit which returns just four starters and was hit hardest with the injury bug last year when quarterback Ronald Curry missed the second half of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The offense is loaded with talented young players who began to show their potential in the spring.
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Torbush, who had served as Carolina's defensive coordinator since 1988, also handed over the defense to veteran Tar Heel assistant coach Ken Browning.
"We had a really good spring, and that was important for this team," Torbush says. "We finished last year on a positive note with wins in the last two games, and it was important to carry over those good feelings into spring ball.
"Now, we have to capitalize on all the hard work our guys put in during the offseason. They have worked hard, probably as hard as any year I've been here, so I think we will be ready to go out of the gate."
SPOON'S RETURN GIVES
DEFENSE BOOST
Carolina will get a huge boost in 2000 with the return of Butkus Award candidate Brandon Spoon. The Burlington, N.C., senior ruptured his right biceps tendon early in the second game last year, and he was lost for the season. Rated one of the top 20 linebackers in the nation by The Sporting News, Spoon received a medical red-shirt, his return for a fifth-year in Chapel Hill will bolster a defense that looks to return to the dominance it enjoyed in the mid 1990s, when Torbush oversaw a unit that led the Atlantic Coast Conference in defense in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
"Linebacker should be our most solid position," Torbush says. "We have three seniors who have a tremendous amount of starting experience and in my opinion should be one of the top, if not the top, starting linebacker trios in the country, plus an experienced fourth in Quincy Monk. Spoon, Sedrick Hodge and Merceda Perry didn't get the same type recognition this summer our linebackers have received in the past, probably due to our record last year, but they are as good as we have had here. They should all be playing in the NFL next year."
Hodge is a 6-4, 235-pound senior from
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"Sedrick Hodge is a guy who's got very good physical tools in terms of size and speed combination," says Browning. "I want him to be a more physical player, and I think he make big strides in that direction toward the end of spring practice."
Perry is a 6-4, 245-pound senior from Asheboro, N.C., who was second on the team a year ago with 83 hits. He was averaging 11.5 tackles per game over the first four games of the season, including a team-high 14 hits against Clemson, before a dislocated shoulder suffered at Georgia Tech slowed him for several weeks. He returned to form by the end of the season and led the team with 13 tackles in the win over Duke.
"Until Merceda got hurt last year I felt he was playing as well as anyone we had on defense, but his injury allowed Quincy Monk to make several starts," Torbush says. "That gives us a great deal of depth when you also consider some of the talented young guys we have behind them."
Monk is a 6-4, 240-pound junior who played in all 11 games and made seven starts in 1999 after injruies to Spoon and Perry. He logged 42 tackles, including two sacks. In his first career home start, the junior registered a career-high eight tackles against Houston.
SOLID DEFENSIVE LINE
IG KEY TO SUCCESS
Starting ends Julius Peppers and Ross McAllister and tackle Ryan Sims return to the defensive line.
"One good thing about playing so many players last year defensively is we have a lot of experience this year," Torbush says. "There's no question some of the youth and inexperience cost us in some early games, but I thought our guys showed a great deal of improvement over the last three games. By the last two weeks I thought we were playing the type of defense Carolina is accustomed to playing."
Peppers, a 6-6, 270-pound sophomore from Bailey, N.C., showed tremendous
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"If Julius Peppers continues to improve at the rate he's going, he should become one of the best players we've ever had at that position," Torbush says. "That's saying a lot, because we've had a lot of great players over the years at defensive end.
"Julius gained so much confidence helping the basketball team get to the Final Four, and playing basketball helped his quickness and agility."
McAllister, a 6-5, 255-pound senior from Dunwoody, Ga., and Sims, a 6-4, 285-pound junior from Spartanburg, S.C. are veterans who will be counted on for leadership and productivity. Last year, McAllister had a career-high 39 tackles (five for loss, including two sacks) opposite Peppers at end, while Sims registered 33 hits (six for loss, including one sack) at defensive tackle.
Other ends to watch are Joey Evans, a 6-5, 265-pound junior from Fayetteville, N.C., and Malcolm Stewart, a 6-3, 225-pound sophomore from Goldsboro, N.C.
Evans has played in 23 games for the Tar Heels and made two starts last year at end. He finished the year with 24 tackles, including five tackles for losses of 24 yards. He will provide very solid depth and experience to the line.
"Ross McAllister and Joey Evans both had solid springs," Browning says. "There was not a lot of difference between those two in the spring. Joey played the best he's played since he's been here.
"Ross played quite a few quality snaps last year. I think those guys should be better than they were last year, and I'll say that about everyone up front. I think we've improved, and I think we'll continue to improve through August and into the season."
Stewart played in 10 games as a true freshman last year and made 21 tackles.
The biggest concern defensively is filling the hole left by Sherrod Peace at defensive tackle. Anthony Perkins has impressed the coaches with his work ethic and continued improvement. Donti Coats, Eric Davis, Darryl Grant and Willie Quick will all be in the hunt for playing time behind Sims and Perkins.
Perkins, a 6-5, 260 junior from Holly Springs, N.C., is athletic and works hard. He played in all 11 games last year and was awarded a scholarship prior to 1999.
"Even though he's a little undersized, I think he's going to be a very good player because he's such a hard-worker," Browning says.
Davis is a 6-3, 265-pound sophomore from Rockingham, N.C. "Eric's very quick for that position, and he's strong," Browning says. "Even though he's not a big guy, I'm hoping he can hold up and give us some quality snaps."
Quick is a 6-3, 280-pound junior from Rockingham, N.C., who has been plagued by injuries. He showed signs of promise with increased playing time late last year and could see playing time if he has a good offseason.
Coats, 6-3, 290 pounds, and Grant, 6-2, 270 pounds, are both red-shirt freshmen from Chesapeake, Va., who should make an impact in the fall.
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
David Bomar, Billy-Dee Greenwood and Errol Hood return to a unit that began 1999 with little experience but grew to become very dependable. Part-time starter Anthony Anderson has struggled with injuries, but he too hopes to contribute in 2000. However, safety Quinton Savage was unable to return this year after suffering a fractured kidney against Wake Forest.
"The secondary improved over last season," Torbush says. "They got banged up, beat on and attacked early, but they made a lot strides as the year went on. Errol Hood has made as much improvement as anyone else at this stage in his career."
"Errol Hood picked up right where he left off last season during the spring," Browning says. "He's an accomplished technician with his hands. He's probably the best hands player we have right now."
Hood, a 5-11, 195-pound junior from Lenoir, N.C., emerged last season as one of the top cornerbacks in the ACC. He started all 11 games and finished the season with 58 tackles, 11 pass breakups and five interceptions, good for third best in the league. He played his finest game of the season against then-No. 7 Georgia Tech and Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Hamilton. He made seven tackles, including a two-yard sack, broke up three passes, recovered two fumbles, returned a fumble 20 yards and intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter. Torbush said it was one of the finest games he has ever seen a cornerback play.
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Greenwood is a 6-2, 185-pound junior from Norwalk, Conn., who started every game at free safety and led the Tar Heels with 118 tackles last year. The Carolina coaches believe he can be one of the top safeties in the ACC if he becomes more physical and continues to improve and become a more consistent tackler.
"Billy-Dee adds a lot in terms of leadership and experience," Browning says. "He's the quarterback of the secondary. Brandon Spoon is our quarterback up front. He's smart and a good leader."
Bomar, a 5-11, 190-pound senior from Durham, N.C., emerged as a true playmaker and an incredible story for Carolina. A former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship prior to the 1999 season, Bomar made the most of increased playing time late in the year when he notched 57 tackles over the final four games. Against NC State, he recorded a career-high 19 stops, including a hit he and Hood teamed on late against the Wolfpack to preserve the 10-6 UNC victory.
"David is a good tackler and a big hitter," Browning says. "He excels in run situations, plays tight ends well man-to-man, and he's a smart zone player."
A talented group of younger players also figure to see action, led by speedster Michael Waddell, a 5-11, 170-pound sophomore from Ellerbe, N.C.
"Waddell has great speed and athleticism, he can make plays, and he'll continue to get better with his hands," Browning says. "He's a better tackler and tougher than you'd expect for a guy his size."
DeFonte Coleman (6-1, 215-pound sophomore from Kinston, N.C.), Kevin Knight (5-8, 175-pound sophomore from Suffolk, Va.), Dexter Reid (5-11, 180-pound red-shirt freshman from Norfolk, Va.) and David Scott (5-10, 165-pound red-shirt freshman) are young players who will be asked to contribute.
Knight appeared in all 11 games on special teams as a freshman and made one start at cornerback.
"After the post-spring running program, Kevin Knight had the fastest 40-yard time of anybody on the whole football team," Browning says. "If we played tomorrow, he'd probably start as our nickel back. He had a very solid spring.
"Dexter Reid made a lot of progress at strong safety. He's got the speed to be a good coverage guy. I think he'll be a good tackler and a tough guy, but he's still only a red-shirt freshman.
Coleman began his Carolina career as a wide receiver, but a move to the defensive side of the ball yielded eye-catching results in the spring.
"I was very impressed with him," Browning says. "I think he'll end up pushing for playing time once he learns more about the system. He's a very physical player and a great tackler, and he's obviously got great hands."
"Overall, I'd say this defense reminds me of the group that led the ACC from 1995-97, but you don't win games and don't make plays on paper," Torbush says. "They have to produce the way guys like Greg Ellis, Brian Simmons and Dre' Bly did. They have to create turnovers and stop teams in big situations and then they will form their own identity."
O'CAIN REVAMPS
INEXPERIENCED OFFENSE
Offensively, the Tar Heels have undergone quite a few changes. Gone from last year's squad are seven offensive starters, including the entire offensive line, as well as wide receiver Jason Peace and bruising fullback Deon Dyer. The offense will also be under new leadership, with former NC State head coach Mike O'Cain taking over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
"I'm excited about our progress, but it's something that takes time. You can talk about it, you can practice it, you can look at it on film, but none of that is like stepping out in front of 60,000 people."
QUESTION MARKS ON
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Replacing five senior starters may be the biggest challenge facing the coaching staff. The losses of Kareem Ellis, Mike Gimbol, Ryan Carfley, Bryan Jones and Allen Mogridge created the biggest hole on the depth chart.
Tackle Louis Marchetti, a 6-6, 280-pound senior from
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"We feel this group made as much progress during the spring as any group on the team," O'Cain says. "I was very pleased with their competitiveness and their fight. We've still got a tremendous amount of work to do because of the lack of experience, but overall I feel good about the talent level there.
"We've got a few seniors with limited experience, but behind them is a very talented group of red-shirt freshmen and sophomores who will be very good in the future."
Carolina's group of younger linemen that will push for playing time includes 6-2, 300-pound Jupiter Wilson of Chesapeake, Va., 6-2, 270-pound Marcus Wilson of Jackson, Miss., and 6-6, 250-pound Greg Woofter of Oliver Springs, Tenn. Bryant Malloy, a 6-3, 310-pound sophomore from Cherryville, N.C. and Don Peters, a 6-2, 305-pound sophomore from Mattawan, Mich. also earned spots on the post-spring depth chart.
PARKER IMPRESSES IN
SPRING DRILLS
Red-shirt freshman Willie Parker, a 5-10, 200-pounder from Clinton, N.C., tops the depth chart at tailback after an outstanding effort in spring practices. Parker has displayed a strong work ethic and looks ready to step into the starting role.
"Willie Parker has tremendous ability," O'Cain says.
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Rufus Brown, a 6-1, 220-pound junior, and Domonique Williams, a 6-0, 210-pound junior also figure to push for playing time at tailback.
Brown is the leading returning ground-gainer, with 809 yards and four touchdowns in his career, but he missed all of spring drills due to shoulder surgery. Last year, he made three starts and rushed for 275 yards after being slowed by a sprained toe suffered late in the first game against Virginia. He's a big back who will battle for playing time at tailback, but he could also compete at fullback.
Williams began last season at tailback but shifted to quarterback because of a rash of injuries at the position and led the Tar Heels to wins over NC State and Duke to end the season. He had a season-high 15 carries for 76 yards in the near-upset of then-No. 7 Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Anthony Saunders, a 6-1, 225-pound junior from Greensboro, N.C., and Ronnie Robinson, a 6-1, 245-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga., will take over a big gap at fullback left by 1999 fourth-round NFL Draft pick Deon Dyer.
Saunders was second on the team last year with 297 yards on a team-high 75 carries. Saunders made four starts and rushed for a career-high 110 yards on 17 carries at Georgia Tech. His size allowed him to shift to fullback in the spring.
Robinson has backed up Dyer the past three seasons and 2000 could be his chance to make a big impact on offense. He must become more consistent though if he is going to grab the starting spot at fullback. "Ronnie and Anthony must become more physical players and work on their blocking," O'Cain says.
CRUMPLER, FINGER
HEADLINE IMPOSING
TIGHT ENDS
First-team All-ACC tight end Alge Crumpler, a 6-3, 260-pound senior from Wilmington, N.C., and Dauntae' Finger, a 6-3, 265-pound senior from Newton, N.C., make up a potent tandem -- perhaps the best in the nation.
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"We feel very, very fortunate to have the two seniors at tight end," O'Cain says. "We feel we have to get both Alge and Dauntae' involved in our offensive scheme as pass catchers, because they have the ability to make plays for us. They bring so much to the table."
Crumpler came back from a serious knee injury that forced him to miss the 1998 season and began to show his old form as last year progressed. He finished with 20 receptions for 191 yards. This summer, he was named preseason first-team All-America by The Sporting News.
Finger, an excellent blocker, caught 10 passes for 81 yards and had his first career touchdown reception in the win at Indiana.
Zach Hilton, a 6-6, 255-pound sophomore from Silver Spring, Md., and Doug Brown, a 6-4, 245-pound junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., continue to improve behind Finger and Crumpler and will see additional action on special teams.
LOOK FOR MORE SPEED
AT WIDE RECEIVER
Kory Bailey, a 6-1, 190-pound junior from Durham, N.C., leads a young, but capable unit of wide receivers. Bailey followed a record-setting freshman season with a team-leading 695 all-purpose yards, including 418 yards receiving. He scored two touchdowns, including a spectacular 40-yard grab against Duke.
"I think you'll see more speed this year on the field at wide receiver," Torbush says. "It's exciting to see Bosley Allen come back from his serious injury two years ago and show the speed that made him one of the top prep receivers in the country."
Allen is a 6-1, 190-pound sophomore from Bradenton, Fla., who missed
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Sam Aiken, a 6-2, 190-pound sophomore from Kenansville, N.C., played wide receiver and returned kicks as a true freshman. He appeared in all 11 games, catching three passes for 16 yards and returning 13 kickoffs and 12 punts.
Chesley Borders, a 6-0, 180-pound sophomore from Shelby, N.C. and Danny Davis, a 6-0, 190-pound junior from Manteo, N.C. have an opportunity to earn playing time. Borders has lots of potential, good hands and runs decent routes. Davis is not gifted with tremendous speed, but has a knack for getting open and his experience should provide quality depth at the position. Red-shirt freshmen Jamal Jones, a speedy 5-11, 200-pounder from Washington, D.C., and Isaiah Robinson, a 6-0, 190-pounder from Reidsville, N.C., also have a chance to see playing time in the fall.
"We have high expectations for Jamal Jones, but we also know he's still in a learning process" O'Cain says. "He needs to improve, but in time he will be an excellent receiver for us."
CURRY RETURN KEY
AT QUARTERBACK
Ronald Curry's return to the lineup after rupturing his Achilles tendon midway through last season will be a big boost to an offense that struggled to move the ball last season. Curry, a 6-2, 200-pound junior from Hampton, Va., missed the majority of spring drills, so it will be an important August as he tries to get back to full strength and learn a new offense.
"It's important for us to find out Ronald Curry's status, because things just were not the same last year without him," Torbush says. "We have a lot of work to do in August."
"I feel like physically he's 100 percent just walking around, but that's
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Curry started Carolina's first five games at quarterback and was accounting for 54.7 percent of the team's total offense before being lost for the season in week five at Georgia Tech. In the first five games of the year, UNC averaged 331.8 yards per game, but without the versatile QB at the helm, Carolina's offensive production suffered. Curry finished the year with 226 yards rushing and a team-high 682 yards passing with three touchdowns.
Luke Huard, a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore from Puyallup, Wash., and Antwon Black, will be competing for the backup spot. Huard played in seven games and made four starts after Curry's injury sidelined him for the season. He did not play in the final two games due to an bruised right rotator cuff. He completed 29 of 75 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown on the season.
Black, a 5-11, 190-pound senior from Central, S.C., has performed on offense, defense and special teams during his time in Chapel Hill. Last year, Black played in the first five games at safety before moving to quarterback for two games. He missed the last four games of the season after he came down with mononucleosis. Black completed 11 of 23 passes for 139 yards.
HUGE QUESTION MARKS
IN THE KICKING GAME
There should be a wide-open battle in the kicking game. Josh McGee became Carolina's alltime field goals leader and Brian Schmitz set the ACC record for career punting average and earned All-America honors last fall. McGee, Schmitz and Derrick DePriest have all graduated, leaving substantial holes to fill.
"One of my biggest concerns is the kicking game," Tosbush says. "Jeff Reed did a good job for us in the spring, but he has not kicked in a game in four years. Punter is wide open at the start of practice, and we really need some guys to step forward and help us win games in the kicking game."
Jeff Reed is a 6-0, 200-pound senior from Charlotte, N.C. who emerged in the spring as the leader for place-kicking and kickoff duties.
Players Mentioned
