University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
GoHeels Exclusive: Open Practice Notebook
August 20, 2019 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
The final practice of North Carolina training camp, at least over the past few years, hasn't been accompanied by much fanfare.
But in an effort to expose his players to the excitement he's felt while traveling around the state and to hopefully generate even more buzz, Mack Brown welcomed the public to Monday's practice under the Kenan Stadium lights.
More than 1,000 fans ultimately showed up for the roughly 90-minute practice, held at 8 p.m. in anticipation of the primetime showdown against Miami on Sept. 7. When it ended, Brown spoke briefly to the crowd. Many players then lingered for a few minutes and interacted with fans before heading to the locker room.
"We had a good time out here," Michael Carter said. "I feel like we came out here and enjoyed the fans. We love the fans. They mean a lot to us. I've been here for a long time and some games we haven't had great attendance, for obvious reasons. But it was good to come out here and see they still support us through it all."
"We've never done anything like this," Carl Tucker added. "Being able to do this and having a pretty good turnout, it was really fun. It was a fun practice."
It also capped a rather successful camp – and one that lacked any major injuries.
Freshman quarterback Sam Howell flashed potential throughout, both with his arm and his legs. Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder certainly had their moments, too. But as the most consistent of the three, according to Brown, Howell will take snaps with the Blue Team, UNC's terminology for first team, going forward.
"You've really seen him grow up throughout camp, since he got here," said Charlie Heck of Howell. "Coming in as an early enrollee, he was quiet, he was shy. But he's really kind of stepped into his role of being a commander of the offense."
The quarterback competition drew the most headlines. But several other players also showed signs of progress across the 16 practices.
"It was probably the most productive camp I've had," Tucker said. "I feel like for a lot of guys, it was the most productive camp they've had. I feel like this is the best our bodies have felt coming out. So, I'm just really confident after that camp."
Carter is, too, not only in himself, but also in his teammates.
"I thought it was a good learning experience," Carter said. "I learned a lot, personally. I learned a lot about my teammates. I think we mesh together really well as a whole team. These are really my family members. What I got out of (camp) is I think we got closer as a team."
The Tar Heels won't practice Tuesday, the first day of the fall semester. But they're currently scheduled to practice every other day this week. Then, on Sunday, they'll start preparing for the season opener against South Carolina on Aug. 31 in Charlotte.
Much needs to be sorted out in the 11 days between now and then, namely who the starters will be at right guard and center. But behind a productive camp, Carolina likes where it stands.
"I think we have room to improve just like every team in the nation, every team in the world, any sports team, any news team," Carter said. "But I feel like we're in a good spot and we're executing at a good level right now."
The final practice of North Carolina training camp, at least over the past few years, hasn't been accompanied by much fanfare.
But in an effort to expose his players to the excitement he's felt while traveling around the state and to hopefully generate even more buzz, Mack Brown welcomed the public to Monday's practice under the Kenan Stadium lights.
More than 1,000 fans ultimately showed up for the roughly 90-minute practice, held at 8 p.m. in anticipation of the primetime showdown against Miami on Sept. 7. When it ended, Brown spoke briefly to the crowd. Many players then lingered for a few minutes and interacted with fans before heading to the locker room.
"We had a good time out here," Michael Carter said. "I feel like we came out here and enjoyed the fans. We love the fans. They mean a lot to us. I've been here for a long time and some games we haven't had great attendance, for obvious reasons. But it was good to come out here and see they still support us through it all."
"We've never done anything like this," Carl Tucker added. "Being able to do this and having a pretty good turnout, it was really fun. It was a fun practice."
It also capped a rather successful camp – and one that lacked any major injuries.
Freshman quarterback Sam Howell flashed potential throughout, both with his arm and his legs. Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder certainly had their moments, too. But as the most consistent of the three, according to Brown, Howell will take snaps with the Blue Team, UNC's terminology for first team, going forward.
"You've really seen him grow up throughout camp, since he got here," said Charlie Heck of Howell. "Coming in as an early enrollee, he was quiet, he was shy. But he's really kind of stepped into his role of being a commander of the offense."
The quarterback competition drew the most headlines. But several other players also showed signs of progress across the 16 practices.
"It was probably the most productive camp I've had," Tucker said. "I feel like for a lot of guys, it was the most productive camp they've had. I feel like this is the best our bodies have felt coming out. So, I'm just really confident after that camp."
Carter is, too, not only in himself, but also in his teammates.
"I thought it was a good learning experience," Carter said. "I learned a lot, personally. I learned a lot about my teammates. I think we mesh together really well as a whole team. These are really my family members. What I got out of (camp) is I think we got closer as a team."
The Tar Heels won't practice Tuesday, the first day of the fall semester. But they're currently scheduled to practice every other day this week. Then, on Sunday, they'll start preparing for the season opener against South Carolina on Aug. 31 in Charlotte.
Much needs to be sorted out in the 11 days between now and then, namely who the starters will be at right guard and center. But behind a productive camp, Carolina likes where it stands.
"I think we have room to improve just like every team in the nation, every team in the world, any sports team, any news team," Carter said. "But I feel like we're in a good spot and we're executing at a good level right now."
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