University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Battles To Watch
August 4, 2006 | Football
Aug. 4, 2006
By Adam Lucas
Carolina football players caught a break this week, as projected highs today have plummeted...all the way down to 96. The heat index is likely to be in the triple digits this afternoon when Carolina takes the field for the first time in 2006.
Some players--this means you, Ronnie McGill and Jesse Holley--can feel secure in their role for the 2006 Tar Heels. But several positions on the two-deep depth chart will see serious competition over the next few weeks.
We've highlighted five battles to watch (and there are several others that will be contested, including wide receiver) and will revisit this topic as camp progresses with updates on the competition.
Starting Quarterback: Cam Sexton, Joe Dailey
Hey, did you hear Carolina is trying to find a starting quarterback?
Seriously, if you didn't already know this then you have to run up the Kenan steps three times with Jeff Connors's dreaded bags of concrete.
This topic has already been talked to death and camp hasn't even opened yet. Matter of fact, this doesn't even count toward the five battles we promised you.
Right side of offensive line: Garrett Reynolds, Andre Barbour, Wyatt Hicks, Kyle Jolly, Ben Lemming, Kenny Price
When new offensive line coach Mark Weber looks at the left side of his line, he sees the two most experienced players on offense--Brian Chacos (23 career starts) and Charlston Gray (18 career starts).
When he looks at the right side he sees the exact opposite.
Both right tackle and right guard are listed as "OR" positions on the pre-camp depth chart, which means there's no clear favorite. Of the competitors, Reynolds has the most experience, but he endured some trials as a true freshman in 2005.
Lemming's return to health is key; he can play either center or guard. If Scott Lenahan can handle the center position, that would allow Lemming to slide to guard and create some depth.
Backup tailback: Barrington Edwards, Justin Warren, Johnny White, Anthony Elzy
Ronnie McGill has pronounced himself healthy for the entire 2006 season. But the Tar Heels know in order to have him at full strength later in the year, they need to be careful with his workload in September--especially with the first two games starting at 3:30 and noon. He'll get the bulk of the carries, but there is plenty of playing time available behind him.
Warren, a former walk-on, is perhaps the most known quantity of any of the backup candidates. Edwards had his moments last season, including a strong performance in the win over NC State, but needs to hit holes more consistently. White and Elzy, a pair of true freshmen who have been solid in the weight room, will have a chance to earn snaps by making a strong early impression.
Defensive end: Brian Rackley, Hilee Taylor, Melik Brown, Kentwan Balmer, Darrius Massenburg
Tommy Davis was a revelation last year at the end position, but no returning end had more than two sacks (Rackley). End--especially a fearsome, pass-rushing end--hasn't been a position of strength since the departure of Julius Peppers; Davis's eight sacks in 2005 was the only example in the past four years of a Carolina end getting more than 4.5 sacks.
New ends coach Danny Pearman would like at least one of the senior duo of Brown and Rackley to have a Davis-like final season. Players have been especially complimentary of Brown's offseason commitment.
Taylor has perhaps the most buzz coming out of the summer. He's always had the speed to be a quarterback-chaser, but hasn't always had the bulk. If he can carry his 250 pounds with the same speed he had before, he should be a factor. Massenburg is a true freshman who has the physical advantage of a year in prep school.
The player with the most flexibility is Balmer; coaches asked him to prepare this summer to play at either tackle or end. Progress from other players at those positions could determine his final destination.
Middle linebacker: Mark Paschal, Victor Worsley, Durell Mapp
This is another "OR" position on the pre-camp depth chart, but it's not necessarily the players you might expect. Paschal and Worsley are listed as co-starters, while Mapp is listed as the starter at WILL linebacker.
Injuries to other players forced Mapp to move to MLB last year, but he missed spring practice with an injury. While he was out, Paschal was impressive. This is another case where the progress of other players could have an impact; if WILLs Chase Rice and Martel Thatch have a great camp, Mapp could slide back to MLB. Or, if Paschal or Worsley are especially impressive, he could stay outside.
Before camp opened, Bunting singled out this battle as one to watch, calling it a "dogfight." Just like at quarterback, he also said it's not out of the realm of possibility that two players could see significant playing time.
Cornerback: Jermaine Strong, Bryan Bethea, Quinton Person, Jordan Hemby
This is another position where Carolina apparently has good depth but no clear starter. Jacoby Watkins is healthy and will hold one starting position. The other will be the subject of a heated four-way battle.
Bethea and Person played extensively last season while Hemby and Strong were redshirting. That might provide them an early lead, but defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders raved about the redshirt class last season. Stepping from the scout team to the first team would be a sizable jump.
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. He is the coauthor of the official book of the 2005 championship season, Led By Their Dreams, and his book on Roy Williams's first season at Carolina, Going Home Again, is now available in bookstores. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly or learn more about Going Home Again, click here.
