GoHeels Exclusive: Jay Bateman Notebook

Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications

August 15, 2019 | Football, Featured Writers

By: Pat James

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

From the moment he joined the North Carolina football staff as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach last December, Jay Bateman started stressing how important the summer would be.

Unlike a veteran-laden team that could've installed his defense six or seven times, Bateman told his players they'd have time to install it twice, first in the spring and then in training camp. But he constantly emphasized that wouldn't be enough. If the Tar Heels were to fully grasp the scheme, they needed to spend time learning it on their own during the summer.

Over time, that message got through. And that's largely why the defense has advanced to where it's at through two weeks of camp.

"We really attacked the summer and our kids did a great job," Bateman told reporters after UNC's 12th training camp practice on Thursday. "I felt like when we came back for fall camp, it was like we had a really veteran team and I credit our seniors for that."

Carolina's defense has earned rave reviews with its play in practices and the first scrimmage last Saturday. As Mack Brown noted, it's not uncommon for the defense to be ahead of the offense at this point in camp. Bateman agreed with that statement on Thursday.

Still, he seems pleased with where his unit currently stands.

"I think we're improving," Bateman said. "I don't think you're ever comfortable, right? So, I think we're improving, I think they understand why more, I think they're able to do it on their own more. When they take ownership of it, then it becomes really good."

Bateman said he thought the defense played fast and communicated well during the scrimmage. He added that he hopes to see more of the latter when the Tar Heels hold their second scrimmage – which Bateman said will be "more South Carolina-oriented" – on Saturday.

"We walked through about 60 plays this morning," Bateman said, "and I said, 'Guys, this is more than a game plan ever would be as far as all the calls we have. If you guys can handle this, you can handle any game plan we're going to have.'

"I think just continuing good communication and, you know, effort is non-negotiable. I think the ability to play fast and play physical and also communicate, when you get that, you've got a pretty good shot."

Positives along interior D-line

After hearing several compliments about Aaron Crawford upon arriving in Chapel Hill, Bateman saw firsthand what makes him special during the spring. But Bateman wasn't able to observe UNC's other standout defensive tackle, Jason Strowbridge, who missed all of spring ball with an injury, until the first day of camp.

Strowbridge has since made a strong impression.

"I think he's a really, really important football player for our football program," Bateman said. "He's a super talented kid, he plays really hard, he's a hard guy to handle one-on-one in protection. So, I think we're really fortunate that he's here."

Heading into camp, Brown expressed concerns about the interior defensive line depth behind Crawford and Strowbridge. But those have been alleviated.

"I think behind those is where I've really been the happiest," Bateman said. "Jahlil Taylor has done a great job. He's 318 pounds and moving really well. I feel so confident in him going in and playing for Aaron. And Xach Gill has improved a ton. Xach Gill in the spring took a lot of reps and I think it paid off.

"And then I think Tomari Fox and Kristian Varner are two freshmen who we're really high on. … Tomari is a kid who came in physically ready, which was huge for us. And then I think really the biggest surprise has been (Raymond) Vohasek, a junior college kid who is 290 pounds and is physical and has given us a presence. I think what was our biggest concern a month ago has become something I'm not as concerned about, which is good."

Building depth

Just because Carolina is feeling better about its interior defensive line depth doesn't mean the coaching staff isn't trying to develop more there and at other positions.

"I think if our top 12 to 15 players are playing, I feel really good," Bateman said. "I think it's generating the next 15 to 22. I think it's some of the freshman DBs, some of the sophomore, redshirt freshman DBs and then I think it's at inside linebacker, trying to get Jonathan Smith back up to speed, who I think has done a great job so far, and then getting Chazz Surratt used to being a linebacker. But Tommy (Thigpen) has done a great job with those guys."

Versatility at outside linebacker

A key component to Bateman's multiple defense is having outside linebackers who can be a stand-up end and rush the quarterback and are also capable of dropping into coverage. A few players have proven they can handle such responsibilities.

"I think Tomon Fox is a really good player," Bateman said. "I love him as a kid, he's really powerful, really strong and plays hard every day. I think Allen Cater has really come along. I give that kid a lot of credit; I think he's like 8 1/2 months from ACL reconstruction and he's taken almost every rep we've asked him.

"I think Jake Lawler has gotten a lot better; I feel way more comfortable with him going into a game than I did in the spring. I think Tyrone Hopper – who broke a finger and has missed a couple of days, but was back in yellow today – is super talented, so I think seeing him injury free will be exciting."

Secondary thoughts

Myles Dorn and Myles Wolfolk were also among the defensive players who were limited or sat out during the spring because of injuries. Now fully healthy, their presences have been valuable along the back line of the secondary.

"They are both really smart," Bateman said. "Dorn didn't play at all this spring, but I could tell in meetings that concepts made sense to him. I think those two are elite smart, so they will allow us to do a lot."

One player expected to do a lot for the Tar Heels is Trey Morrison, who has been practicing at cornerback and nickelback. Bateman said he believes Morrison is one of the team's best players, so he's had Morrison practice at both positions in an attempt to keep him on the field as much as possible.

"Trey has done a nice job out there," said Bateman when asked about the team's cornerbacks outside Patrice Rene. "I think Greg Ross has really improved and I feel good about him out there, and I think Storm Duck is going to be really good; he's big and fast. He's behind Patrice right now, but I feel really good about him going into a game and playing."

Balancing fun, getting work done

Several defensive players have talked during camp about how much fun they're having playing in Bateman's scheme. That's what Bateman would hope they'd say.

"I think we forget sometimes, this is a game," Bateman said. "They started playing because they liked it when they were 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or whatever, and I think sometimes, college coaches try to make this into math class. Man, I hated math class. I think, let's make this fun and if you enjoy something, you'll do better at it."

At the same time, Bateman said he also ensures his players know what the standard is.

"Effort is non-negotiable, knowledge is non-negotiable," Bateman said, "so I'm going to set the standard as high as I can, and if they don't meet that standard, I'm going to demand that they do.

"What's really cool is we've guys like Dominique Ross and Myles Dorn and Myles Wolfolk and Jason Strowbridge who are demanding that of other people. When players demand the standard is met, you have a chance to be pretty good."