University of North Carolina Athletics
GoHeels Exclusive: Thursday Practice Notebook
August 9, 2018 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Six practices into training camp, the North Carolina football team has installed about 97 percent of its schemes on offense, defense and special teams, according to Larry Fedora.
So naturally, many of the freshmen feel bewildered.
"We throw it all at them early," Fedora said. "That's why you've got some freshmen whose heads are smoking right now and they're making some mistakes. But they're making them with great effort. I'd much rather them be going full speed and have the effort that we need because we can get the mistakes corrected."
In the coming days, though, UNC's depth chart will start becoming somewhat clearer. The Tar Heels hold their first intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, and following it, the coaches will evaluate the roster and start determining the number of reps each player should receive.
Before then, Fedora and a few players spoke with reporters on Thursday about freshmen receivers Dyami Brown and Antoine Green, senior receiver Thomas Jackson, the backup quarterbacks and more.
Here are six notes from the availability:
'Showing some tremendous flashes'
Brown and Green, considered four-star prospects by ESPN.com and 247Sports, have impressed early on in their first camp. An early enrollee, Brown has received a majority of the first-team reps opposite Anthony Ratliff-Williams. Green has alternated with the second and third teams.
"They're both very, very talented guys and they can stretch the field," Fedora said. "They can go vertical. They're still learning, their heads are smoking, Antoine's probably more than Dyami's because Dyami was with us in the spring. But he's showing some tremendous flashes in practice."
Although Brown and Green both possess speed, Ratliff-Williams said they play differently.
"Dyami can take the top off any time he feels like it; he's ready to go at any time," Ratliff-Williams said. "Antoine likes to break down the guy at the line and just make his own way. …What one has and what the other has, you mix them together and you have the perfect receiver."
Secondary standouts
The Tar Heels boast plenty of experience in a secondary that's anchored by J.K. Britt, Myles Dorn, Patrice Rene and K.J. Sails. But a few underclassmen appear to be establishing themselves as potential contributors.
When asked who has caught his attention, Sails named sophomore C.J. Cotman and freshman Trey Morrison, who Fedora also praised during Monday's press conference.
"I like the way he's coming along right now," said Sails of Morrison. "He's just grasping everything quickly, and he's very observant."
Backup battleÂ
After naming Nathan Elliott the starting quarterback on Monday, Fedora spent a few minutes Thursday answering questions about Manny Miles, Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder, who are competing for the early-season backup role.
Fedora highlighted Miles' experience. He also said Miles is one of the most respected players on the team.
"Everybody loves the guy because he works hard," Fedora said. "Manny believes he's the best at everything he does, and he'll tell you. And I love that about him. It's not being cocky. He just takes great pride in himself, and I think a quarterback has to have that."
Fortin and Ruder, both early enrollees, might not have as much confidence as Miles. But Fedora said they've gained a greater understanding of what's expected of them in UNC's offense.
"They both look comfortable back there," Fedora said. "Now it's the decision-making process. The game is still going really fast for them, guys are moving around and they're in places where we didn't necessarily talk about in a meeting, and all of a sudden you see it and you have a tough time making a decision. Both guys will learn it, they'll get it and they'll go."
Jackson's return
After injuries sidelined several Tar Heels last season, perhaps the most encouraging sight early on in camp has been the number of players who have returned to the field. Among them is Jackson.
Jackson figures to be a prominent piece of the offense again after an injury limited him to just three games last season. He and Dazz Newsome have both lined up at slot receiver with the first-team offense.
"Thomas is one of the hardest working guys on the team," Fedora said. "He's a great leader in that room. Him and (Ratliff-Williams), they run that (receiver) room, and the guys respect him. It's just good to have him back out here. He's 100 percent, and we're having to pull him back, actually."
Heck's continued improvement
Primarily a tight end in high school, Charlie Heck spent his first two years in Chapel Hill learning the nuances of playing along the offensive line. But this camp, he's continued building off last season, when he made 11 starts at right tackle.
"Now he understands the position," Fedora said. "He understands the workload that it takes and what you have to do on a daily basis to be a great offensive lineman. He's made a lot of progress from when he started and especially from spring to now."
A dominant D-line?Â
UNC's greatest strength this season might be its defensive line, which features seniors Malik Carney, Jeremiah Clarke, Jalen Dalton and Tyler Powell; juniors Aaron Crawford and Jason Strowbridge; and sophomore Tomon Fox.
So far, that unit has lived up to expectations.
"I feel really good about where our D-line is right now," Fedora said. "We have a lot of guys with experience up there, and it's showing in practice."
Fedora was specifically asked about Crawford, who has started 22 of 25 games over the last two seasons.
"Aaron was a guy who we singled out in spring ball who was exceptional," Fedora said. "To have that guy in the middle, a guy who is going to make plays for you and cover up two blockers so the linebackers are free, it's critical to our success, especially in stopping the run."
Six practices into training camp, the North Carolina football team has installed about 97 percent of its schemes on offense, defense and special teams, according to Larry Fedora.
So naturally, many of the freshmen feel bewildered.
"We throw it all at them early," Fedora said. "That's why you've got some freshmen whose heads are smoking right now and they're making some mistakes. But they're making them with great effort. I'd much rather them be going full speed and have the effort that we need because we can get the mistakes corrected."
In the coming days, though, UNC's depth chart will start becoming somewhat clearer. The Tar Heels hold their first intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, and following it, the coaches will evaluate the roster and start determining the number of reps each player should receive.
Before then, Fedora and a few players spoke with reporters on Thursday about freshmen receivers Dyami Brown and Antoine Green, senior receiver Thomas Jackson, the backup quarterbacks and more.
Here are six notes from the availability:
'Showing some tremendous flashes'
Brown and Green, considered four-star prospects by ESPN.com and 247Sports, have impressed early on in their first camp. An early enrollee, Brown has received a majority of the first-team reps opposite Anthony Ratliff-Williams. Green has alternated with the second and third teams.
"They're both very, very talented guys and they can stretch the field," Fedora said. "They can go vertical. They're still learning, their heads are smoking, Antoine's probably more than Dyami's because Dyami was with us in the spring. But he's showing some tremendous flashes in practice."
Although Brown and Green both possess speed, Ratliff-Williams said they play differently.
"Dyami can take the top off any time he feels like it; he's ready to go at any time," Ratliff-Williams said. "Antoine likes to break down the guy at the line and just make his own way. …What one has and what the other has, you mix them together and you have the perfect receiver."
Secondary standouts
The Tar Heels boast plenty of experience in a secondary that's anchored by J.K. Britt, Myles Dorn, Patrice Rene and K.J. Sails. But a few underclassmen appear to be establishing themselves as potential contributors.
When asked who has caught his attention, Sails named sophomore C.J. Cotman and freshman Trey Morrison, who Fedora also praised during Monday's press conference.
"I like the way he's coming along right now," said Sails of Morrison. "He's just grasping everything quickly, and he's very observant."
Backup battleÂ
After naming Nathan Elliott the starting quarterback on Monday, Fedora spent a few minutes Thursday answering questions about Manny Miles, Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder, who are competing for the early-season backup role.
Fedora highlighted Miles' experience. He also said Miles is one of the most respected players on the team.
"Everybody loves the guy because he works hard," Fedora said. "Manny believes he's the best at everything he does, and he'll tell you. And I love that about him. It's not being cocky. He just takes great pride in himself, and I think a quarterback has to have that."
Fortin and Ruder, both early enrollees, might not have as much confidence as Miles. But Fedora said they've gained a greater understanding of what's expected of them in UNC's offense.
"They both look comfortable back there," Fedora said. "Now it's the decision-making process. The game is still going really fast for them, guys are moving around and they're in places where we didn't necessarily talk about in a meeting, and all of a sudden you see it and you have a tough time making a decision. Both guys will learn it, they'll get it and they'll go."
Jackson's return
After injuries sidelined several Tar Heels last season, perhaps the most encouraging sight early on in camp has been the number of players who have returned to the field. Among them is Jackson.
Jackson figures to be a prominent piece of the offense again after an injury limited him to just three games last season. He and Dazz Newsome have both lined up at slot receiver with the first-team offense.
"Thomas is one of the hardest working guys on the team," Fedora said. "He's a great leader in that room. Him and (Ratliff-Williams), they run that (receiver) room, and the guys respect him. It's just good to have him back out here. He's 100 percent, and we're having to pull him back, actually."
Heck's continued improvement
Primarily a tight end in high school, Charlie Heck spent his first two years in Chapel Hill learning the nuances of playing along the offensive line. But this camp, he's continued building off last season, when he made 11 starts at right tackle.
"Now he understands the position," Fedora said. "He understands the workload that it takes and what you have to do on a daily basis to be a great offensive lineman. He's made a lot of progress from when he started and especially from spring to now."
A dominant D-line?Â
UNC's greatest strength this season might be its defensive line, which features seniors Malik Carney, Jeremiah Clarke, Jalen Dalton and Tyler Powell; juniors Aaron Crawford and Jason Strowbridge; and sophomore Tomon Fox.
So far, that unit has lived up to expectations.
"I feel really good about where our D-line is right now," Fedora said. "We have a lot of guys with experience up there, and it's showing in practice."
Fedora was specifically asked about Crawford, who has started 22 of 25 games over the last two seasons.
"Aaron was a guy who we singled out in spring ball who was exceptional," Fedora said. "To have that guy in the middle, a guy who is going to make plays for you and cover up two blockers so the linebackers are free, it's critical to our success, especially in stopping the run."
Players Mentioned
Safety
/ Football
Defensive End
/ Football
Defensive Tackle
/ Football
Cornerback
/ Football
Defensive Tackle
/ Football
Defensive Tackle
/ Football
Safety
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Offensive Tackle
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Defensive Line
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ Football
Cornerback
/ Football
Quarterback
/ Football
Cornerback
/ Football
Defensive Line
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