University of North Carolina Athletics
2016 Training Camp Central
August 5, 2016 | Football
Throughout the next three weeks, GoHeels.com will take you behind the scenes for Carolina football's 2016 fall training camp. Follow here, on Twitter and Instagram (@TarHeelFootball) and Snapchat (uncfb) for the latest from Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels prepare for the 2016 campaign.
August 12, 2016
The new UNC Nike Train Speed 4 that the @TarHeelFootball players and staff will wear this fall. #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/vyakSDaemu
— Jason Freeman (@UNCEquipment) August 12, 2016
August 11, 2016
Go in-depth with the defense as Def. Coord. Gene Chizik gets mic'd up during a recent training camp practice https://t.co/oPc3crbQ0V
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 11, 2016
August 10, 2016
Defensive Line & Freshmen Highlight First Scrimmage https://t.co/m48Toidhof
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 10, 2016
Extra Point with @LeePaceTweet
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 10, 2016
'Filling @El_Tee_78's shoes - Inside the position battle at right guard' https://t.co/m4Pl295CSv
August 9, 2016
Tuesday was the fifth practice of camp, which means the first day of full pads and the real return of football to Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels went through a spirited practice under sunny skies at Navy Field, with the UNC defense taking the day thanks in part to a turnover forced late in the final team period.
The afternoon brought sad news, however, as word spread of the passing of Bill Dooley, Carolina's longest-tenured and winningest all-time head coach. Read more about the life of Coach Dooley and hear from Coach Fedora.
Everyone at UNC mourns the passing of legendary coach Bill Dooley, who died today at 82. https://t.co/gkyLt6FGOe pic.twitter.com/egFB90Jysd
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 9, 2016
August 8, 2016
Tomorrow: First Day in Full Pads
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 9, 2016
Today: We Got the Juices Flowing... https://t.co/DV6YgRvQ3o
August 7, 2016
Lee Pace is back for another year of covering Carolina football with his Extra Points series. Sunday he takes a look at the early days of 2016 training camp.
CHAPEL HILL --- The sun came out Saturday morning, the temperature nudged into the 90s, the heat index topped out over 100. It was just after noon when practice number two of the Tar Heels' August camp ended and the offense spread out the width of the field to run three across-and-back conditioning sprints, and then senior receiver Mack Hollins was called in front of the group to put the cherry on top: Two perfect jumping jacks.
To continue reading Extra Points, click here.
August 6, 2016
Photo day brings out the best of #UNCFB. Take a look through the lens of @JCamarati: https://t.co/Q17GKgDIIo pic.twitter.com/SbZ3UL8P8e
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 6, 2016
August 5, 2016
Practice Report
As the University of North Carolina football team took the field on the first day of training camp Friday, you could sense a different feeling among the group. Confidence. Swagger. Determination. It was overflowing onto the field. And the team has a right to feel that way.
Carolina went 11-3 last year, won the Coastal division, set numerous offensive records, and had one of the best defensive turnarounds in the country. With many of the starters returning to the team again in 2016, confidence is abundant.
This is a stark contrast to 2015. Whenever training camp starts, there's always a ray of hope in every program, but last year there were many questions that people had of the team.
How was Carolina going to improve in special teams (a major weakness in 2014) with the same people returning? Nick Weiler answered with 20-23 on field goals and Ryan Switzer reestablished himself as one of the most dangerous returners in the game.
How was the defense going to adjust to the new coaching staff? Carolina went on to hold opponents to 24.5 points per game and had a +47 points off turnovers differential.
Could the offense get back on track after sputtering to the end of the 2014 season? Marquise Williams led the team to an amazing offensive season in which the team set 62 records in 2015 and Carolina averaged over 40 points a game.
The team had been predicted by most media to finish fourth in the Coastal Division and possibly have another 6-7, 7-6 kind of year in 2015. This year the same media members have Carolina returning to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game.
It's important to have that kind of confidence, though. Believing in yourself and each other is an important part of achieving success, and why shouldn't the team feel confident? Carolina returns eight starters on offense, and seven on defense.
Mitch Trubisky will be one of Carolina's three new starters on offense. The junior has been groomed to take over the team since he stepped foot on campus, and now it's his time. Trubisky played in relief of Williams occasionally over the last two seasons, and often played well, completing 85 percent of his passes in 2015. But now it's his turn to lead the team.
“It wasn't that frustrating (having to wait to start),” said Trubisky. “I was excited for the team and 'Quise because it is a team sport and that's the most important thing. Everyone's got a turn, I just had to wait my turn. I have to take advantage of it this year.”
And on day one of training camp, Trubisky showed he's ready for the challenge. He was nearly perfect on his throws during a deep ball drill, hitting each receiver in stride. He showed accuracy and power during the offense vs. defense drills and every ball was a tight spiral. He, too, could feel the difference from last year.
“I think there's more excitement and a sense of urgency,” he said.
It had infiltrated the team. Donnie Miles, Des Lawrence and M.J. Stewart back as the vocal leaders in the secondary. The wide receiver group and secondary jawing at each other after every play, both sides sure they'd come out on top the next play.
The cloud of focus and determination hovered over the field the entire practice. The team buying in to what the coaches are saying. The air is different in Chapel Hill this training camp. Naz Jones put his thumb on it.
“The year before Coach Chizik came into training camp and he said, 'We can play for a national championship,'” Nazi Jones said. “Everyone was kinda looking around like, 'OK dude, whatever.' But we were one onside kick away from being in the final four. Everyone believes him now.”
Day one is in the books. The 2016 #UNCFB season is now just 29 short days away. pic.twitter.com/wDhzwn1YHj
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 5, 2016
Go time! #UNCFB training camp 2016 is underway! pic.twitter.com/KPj2UJs3Qj
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) August 5, 2016
