University of North Carolina Athletics
Football Opens Spring Practice
March 18, 2003 | Football
March 18, 2003
The University of North Carolina football team returns 49 letterwinners, including 15 starters, who will look to erase memories of last season's disappointing finish when spring practice begins on March 18. In 2002, Carolina fielded of the youngest teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with over 73 percent of its roster consisting of freshmen or sophomores. Spring practice will be as valuable as ever this year and should be another stepping stone in Carolina's overall improvement.
"We were so young last year and we had several key injuries," said head coach John Bunting. "This spring is a chance for a lot of young players to step up and seize the opportunity to play. I can't wait to get back on the practice field and see how much we've progressed."
A pair of honors candidates - record-setting quarterback Darian Durant and first-team All-ACC free safety Dexter Reid - headline the squad. Durant, a junior from Florence, S.C., is on pace to shatter several school career records, while Reid, a senior from Norfolk, Va., is the nation's leading returning tackler.
Despite breaking his thumb at Virginia and missing four games last year, Durant still led the ACC in total offense (285.6 yards per game), becoming the first Tar Heel to do so since Paul Miller in 1971. Although he has made just 12 career starts, Durant has already made a sizeable dent in the school record book. He currently ranks first in career completion percentage (.614), tied for second in career touchdowns (33), fourth in career passing yards (3,966), sixth in career total offense (4,255) and seventh in career completions (289).
Reid ranked as the nation's No. 2 tackler in 2002, averaging 13.8 stops per game. He finished the season with 166 tackles, a school record for a defensive back and just five shy of linebacker Buddy Curry's Carolina record of 171 in 1979.
Offense: Last year, Carolina set a school record with 266.6 yards passing per game, but struggled running the ball, averaging 102.5 yards per game on the ground. While the Tar Heels still plan to utilize Durant's outstanding playmaking ability, they are seeking a more balanced attack.
For the first time since at least the 1980s, Carolina returns all five starters on the offensive line. Center Jason Brown started all 12 games last year and is a candidate for All-ACC honors after allowing just two sacks and dominating the line of scrimmage.
rown is flanked on the right by senior Jeb Terry, who is considered one of the top guards in the conference. A two-year starter, Terry is a team leader who can also play tackle if needed. He allowed just two sacks from the guard spot last year. At left guard, sophomore Kyle Ralph enters the spring as the starter, but will be pushed by senior Jupiter Wilson. Wilson started the first seven games last season, but gave way to Ralph, who came out of a redshirt season to start the final five games of the season.
A pair of juniors - Skip Seagraves and Willie McNeill - return at the tackle positions. Seagraves is at right tackle and and McNeill will protect Durant's blind side at left tackle. Both started 11 games last year.
One of the most promising professional prospects in the ACC is Carolina tight end Bobby Blizzard. An honorable-mention all-conference selection last year, Blizzard finished fourth on the team with 28 catches for 440 yards and tied for the team lead with five touchdowns. An accomplished receiver who can run after the catch, Blizzard has worked hard to improve his run blocking ability.
The Tar Heels enter the spring searching for replacements for departed wide receivers Sam Aiken and Chesley Borders. Aiken set school records in catches and yards last year and is expected to be selected in the 2003 NFL Draft in April.
Jarwarski Pollock and sophomore Derrele Mitchell will be asked to step up this season after playing for the first time last year. A lightning quick speedster, Pollock had 31 catches for 464 yards and scored four touchdowns, while Mitchell had 15 catches for 232 yards. Sophomore Danny Rumley, senior Brandon Russell and sophomore Michael Gilmore will also contend for playing time.
At running back, Jacque Lewis returns as the starter. He led the team with 574 yards rushing last year, but should be challenged this spring by seniors Willie Parker and Andre' Williams. Parker has started games in each of the last three seasons and Williams was the team's top rusher in 2001. All three have the ability to come up with big plays, but the coaching staff is looking for more consistency in the running game.
Williams had back surgery last spring and missed the final eight games of 2002 with lingering back pain. After several months of rest and rehabilitation, he is at full strength heading into the spring.
Defense: Carolina's youth on defense was often exposed last season as the Tar Heels allowed 450 yards per game. A year of experience and another off-season in the weight room should pay dividends this fall. Heading into the spring, Carolina has just two players who started every game last year - Reid and defensive tackle Chase Page.
Among the top concerns for the coaching staff is the development of the defensive line. Several opportunities exist along the front line as new defensive line coach Brad Lawing works to find a cohesive unit.
Jocques Dumas started nine games at defensive end in 2002, but he will be challenged this spring by sophomore Kendall High. Last season, High started seven games at defensive tackle as a true freshman. Page and senior Donti Coats have the inside track at the tackle positions, but will face competition from junior Jonas Seawright and redshirt freshman Mickey Rice. Converted defensive ends Issac Mooring and Jermicus Banks are also under consideration at tackle.
Tommy Davis, who started the final five games of the year at defensive end, should retain his starting spot, especially with the loss of senior Will Chapman to a medical hardship. Redshirt freshman Alden Blizzard will battle Davis for playing time this spring.
At linebacker, Carolina returns starters Doug Justice and Clarence Gaddy. Justice started 11 games at middle linebacker and finished second on the team with 97 tackles, the most by a UNC freshman since Dwight Hollier in 1990. He earned All-ACC freshman honors from The Sporting News and was a fourth-team freshman All-America.
Gaddy started seven games at outside linebacker and finished with 25 tackles. Senior Clay Roberson will battle for the other outside spot, along with sophomore Jeff Longhany. Both started at least one game last year.
In the backfield, Carolina returns Reid and senior cornerback Michael Waddell. Waddell had started 34 consecutive games until breaking his fibula against Clemson and missing the last two contests of the season. Although Waddell struggled last season, he still led the team with eight pass breakups. If he returns to his All-ACC form of 2001, then Carolina should have one of the top secondaries in the conference.
Mahlon Carey, the Tar Heels third-leading rusher last year, will move to safety this spring. He started last season at tailback against Maryland, but the coaches feel he can be a valuable asset on defense. Carey, senior Michael Harris, junior Chris Curry and sophomore Tommy Richardson will all compete for playing time. Curry started four games last year and played as a true freshman in 2001.
Carolina will miss starter Kevin Knight at the other cornerback position, but returns senior Derrick Johnson, who made three starts last season, and promising sophomore Cedrick Holt. Holt was one of seven true freshmen to see action in 2002 and had a solid game against Florida State in his most extensive playing time.
On special teams, Carolina returns kicker Dan Orner, kickoff specialist Topher Roberts, holder Greg Warren and all of its kick and punt return men, including sophomore walk-on Wallace Wright, who finished fifth in the conference last season in kickoff returns.
