University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Battles To Watch
August 3, 2007 | Football
Aug. 3, 2007
By Adam Lucas
One of the most anticipated preseasons in recent Carolina football history opens this afternoon when Butch Davis's 2007 Tar Heels take the practice field for the first time. Per NCAA rules, it'll just be a shorts-and-helmets workout--full pads won't be added until Tuesday, August 7.
Despite the lack of full contact, Friday's session will be the first chance for a bevy of players to make their first move up the depth chart. Approximately 50 of Carolina's 85 players have never played in a college football game, which means in addition to being one of the program's most anticipated camps, it's also one with the most unknowns.
Position battles loom across the board; Davis has already promised if he finds a position without suitable competition, he'll simply move a player from another position to create competition.
With that in mind, here are the five competitions most likely to draw attention in the early part of camp.
Quarterback: This position was wide open in the spring, with T.J. Yates and Cameron Sexton battling for the top spot. Yates might have gained a slight edge during the spring, but the duo is now a trio with the addition of freshman Mike Paulus.
Look for Davis and offensive coordinator John Shoop to trim the 3-way battle to a 2-way competition within the first two weeks of camp.
Tailback: Carolina tailbacks carried the ball 291 times in 2006. Just 8 of those carries are represented on the 2007 roster (7 for Justin Warren and 1 for Richie Rich).
Davis's ideal offense includes a feature back who can contribute in all situations. He may not have that back on his first Carolina team, so the Tar Heels could try to piece together a running back rotation from among Rich, Johnny White, freshman Ryan Houston, and Anthony Elzy (who could also play fullback).
Center: The player receiving the center snap will receive the most attention throughout camp. But the player making that snap will also be a story to watch. Scott Lenahan is the incumbent at center, the position that serves as the pivot point of the offensive line. But the Carolina coaches also like the potential of Ben Lemming, who did not participate in spring practice. He'll be given a chance to make a positive first on-field impression on the new coaching staff, which will create some drama at center.
Refreshingly, this is the only position on this list with an actual senior (Lenahan) competing for playing time. If Lemming wins the job, it's possible--maybe even likely--that the Carolina offense could take the field on Sept. 1 without a single senior on the field.
Cornerback: The quartet of Kendric Burney, Jermaine Strong, Kendric Williams, and Cooter Arnold collectively had zero interceptions and two pass breakups last season. Yet it's hard to look at them without a touch of optimism.
Burney was the surprise of the spring, as he went from a baseball player the staff knew nothing about to first on the depth chart. Williams, the former T-37 novelty act who previously contributed mainly on special teams, has changed his jersey number to 14 and was impressive during the spring at corner. And Strong and Arnold, the two players on this list who saw the most time last season, add a dash of experience to this position.
Defensive end: Defensive line is one of the few positions on the field where experience is in abundance. Hilee Taylor looks to have the edge at one end position. The other end is where the Tar Heels hope to stumble on a pass rusher who can require an occasional double-team. E.J. Wilson picked up a pair of sacks as a freshman, and Garrett White has played extensively during his first two seasons in Chapel Hill and seems like the kind of player who will thrive under Davis and ace defensive line coach John Blake. The unknown quantity is Greg Elleby, who vaulted onto the depth chart with a solid spring.
Adam Lucas most recently collaborated on a behind-the-scenes look at Carolina Basketball with Wes Miller. The Road To Blue Heaven will be released on September 1. Lucas's other books on Carolina basketball include The Best Game Ever, which chronicles the 1957 national championship season, Going Home Again, which focuses on Roy Williams's return to Carolina, and Led By Their Dreams, a collaboration with Steve Kirschner and Matt Bowers on the 2005 championship team.
