University of North Carolina Athletics
Freshmen And Transfers Hit Football Field
July 31, 2001 | Football
July 31, 2001
UNC head football coach John Bunting met with the media Tuesday morning following a one-hour workout with 28 newcomers to the program. The following is some of what he had to say:
On first impressions of the freshman class:
"I think we have a long way to go with this group, but I think they're a very solid group. I think there are some very good athletes here. I think there's some talent here. I think the wide receivers and DBs are very solid. I think we have some offensive linemen that can run pretty well. I'm also impressed with some of these guys running their 40s out here. So there is some talent here. I'm impressed. I'm really excited about this group and these are real good kids. We're off to a good start."
On how many freshmen will likely see playing time:
"I see two, three and maybe even four of these kids getting on the field and helping us on either side of the ball. When we get into special teams and we really judge how much they can grasp those fundamentals and techniques, maybe one or two more can contribute. We're going to need depth in special teams and we're going to need depth offensively and defensively, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines. Hopefully some of these kids can help us right away."
On what the freshmen learn early in training camp:
"I think right now it's learning the difference between high school football and college football. The tempo, the pace of the game is obviously the first thing that have to learn, and how to finish plays. There are a lot of players just trying to feel their way right now."
General thoughts on training camp:
"We're excited that this group of players who will be coming in on Thursday will be ready for a physical training camp. NCAA rules prohibit us from putting the pads on until three days into camp...so we're a longs ways away from putting the pads on and getting physical, but they're anticipating that and we know we need to have that, particularly the first week to 10 days into training camp before we start to taper back and get ready for the opener."
On developing the offensive line:
"At any level -- high school, college or pro -- having an offensive line that works together and that's cohesive and that can double-team...that takes time. Footwork is so important with those guys. You've got to start real slow and work through the basics and fundamentals with the offensive linemen and then get into the scheme of things. It was interesting to watch (Coach) Tranquill out here with Coach Powell and the running backs and the quarterbacks working on the basic draw play and the basic lead play and the footwork that's involved there. It's like starting over for these guys. I remember coming from high school myself (to this level), it's like I knew nothing about football when I came here the first time."
On the transition to college for freshmen:
"I saw some moms and dads hugging kids last night and I broke down myself. It took me back 32 years. That was hard. That was real hard. And we had a kid or two last night that was anxious about things, and we talked about that with the parents and we talked about that with the kids. This is a tremendous opportunity for them. This is the first time away from home for many of these kids. That's tough on them. But they just have to learn how to tough out the first few weeks, and then get through the first month -- particularly when the older guys come in -- because most of these guys are used to being the star. But they're not going to be the star now for a while."
