Training Camp Wrapup

August 29, 2004 | Football

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Aug. 29, 2004

by Adam Lucas, Tar Heel Monthly CHAPEL HILL -- John Bunting's Tar Heels practiced for 19 straight days, sometimes twice a day, during the month of August. When they finished training camp on Friday evening, with the coaches even getting a rare day off on Saturday, it was almost eerie. One whole day without football? One whole day without the sound of an air horn dictating every minute of practice? One whole day without getting to see Tar Heel superfan Lily Sapp in her familiar lawn chair? To combat the separation anxiety, we offer the following as a look back at some of the details you might have missed from training camp. Best Story of Camp: Without question, it was Jonas Seawright. The redshirt senior always had impressive raw strength, which he used to shove through the line and block three kicks last year. But that strength was accompanied by significant extra weight, which impacted his conditioning and prevented him from being a reliable part of Carolina's defensive attack. He arrived at camp this summer having shed 45 pounds, and it wasn't just a physical transformation. He was consistently the most exuberant member of the Tar Heel defense, constantly encouraging his teammates and celebrating big plays. When Carolina's five fifth-year seniors were asked which one of them has undergone the biggest transformation in their college career, they unanimously pointed at Seawright. Quietest Story of Camp: Let's hear it for Linwood Williams, a safety who quietly had a stellar three weeks. He arrived at camp as a depth chart afterthought, not listed on the post-spring two-deep. He finished as the starting free safety, having earned the spot by consistently making the right reads and fulfilling his assignments. The best part of the story: he's a walk-on, having been discovered by the Carolina coaches when he was a teammate of Jacque Lewis at Northeastern High. A biology major who wants to be a pharmacist, Williams answers every question with "yes, sir" and "no, sir." There are talented players behind him who will push him for playing time, but getting a chance to know Williams better was one of the highlights of camp. Most Likely to Remake "Endless Summer": It's easy to suspect that freshman kicker Connor Barth was born on the wrong coast. He's got ridiculously long blond hair, a laid-back attitude, and when asked how it felt to nail a long kick during one practice, he actually responded, "Dude, I'm stoked." Carolina's coaches, however, don't care what his hair looks like as long as he keeps thundering 50-plus yard field goals. Underestimated: When the Heels take the field on Sept. 4, you'll understand the confusion. At 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Hilee Taylor doesn't look like he should be able to have an impact on the college level in the trenches. Your first impression will be, "He's too skinny." ut then they snap the ball and Taylor somehow finds his way to the ballcarrier. A prediction: at least once this year, he'll run down a play from the backside and opposing coaches will wonder, "How did he get there?" The New Guys: Taylor and Barth are two of several freshmen likely to play this year. Others include Khalif Mitchell, Del Roberts, Trimane Goddard, and possibly Kentwan Balmer and Kenny Price. The Old Guys: A handful of veterans, in addition to Seawright, made a push during camp. At least once this year, take a few plays and watch center Jason Brown dominate his man. Brown is the kind of anchor on the offensive line you take for granted until he's gone. The same can be said for senior Madison Hedgecock, a road-grader of a fullback who should open considerable daylight for the Tar Heel tailbacks this year. And don't assume that tailback will always be Ronnie McGill. Senior Jacque Lewis had an impressive training camp and showed a willingness to play physically as a dangerous third-down back. Five Things to Throw Out and Impress Your Buddies:
1. "You know, Jacque Lewis is the best blocker of all our tailbacks."
2. "Sure, Mason and Bowman are good, but Jarwarski Pollock runs the best routes of any of our receivers."
3. "If you're going to be a good offensive lineman, you've got to be able to get a good punch on that defensive lineman right off the snap."
4. "Tommy Richardson had trouble getting caught up in traffic when he first moved to linebacker, so he has moved back a step to try and get a clearer path to the ball."
5. "Greg Warren has become so good at long-snapping that on field goals, he snaps the ball so that it arrives at the holder with the laces pointed out, just the way kickers want them to be." Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly, click here.