University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
GoHeels Exclusive: Tucker Getting Better Every Day
August 5, 2019 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
From the 11 NFL tight ends he's produced as a college coach to the likes of future Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, Tim Brewster has been around some special tight ends in his 30-plus years of coaching.
And he seems to think Carl Tucker could be another.
"Carl Tucker understands what I expect out of the tight end," said Brewster shortly after the end of spring ball. "I've coached Hall of Fame tight ends. I've coached NFL tight ends, a ton of them. I want elite players playing the position for us. So it's a tremendous challenge for Carl Tucker to embrace that thought and be elite."
Brewster has challenged Tucker to be just that since returning to Chapel Hill for his second stint on the Tar Heel coaching staff in November. Certainly, one could guess what that means. But after UNC's fourth training camp practice on Monday, Tucker offered up his definition.
"Elite entails being consistent, being great every day, which is tough being with (Brewster)," the redshirt senior told reporters inside Carolina's indoor practice facility. "He's a very hard guy. But he's getting me better every day. I feel like every practice this camp, I've been getting better in some form or fashion."
That could pose trouble for opposing defenses this fall.
After being sidelined for all but four games in 2017 due to injury, Tucker returned last season and served as the Tar Heels' top tight-end option in the passing game. He finished with 16 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he averaged 8.1 yards after the catch per reception, with his longest going for 80 yards.
That grab accounts for one of seven that he's turned into gains of 27 yards or more during his career; he also flashed his wheels with a 77-yard catch-and-run in the spring game. But despite his big-play ability, Tucker has never caught more than three passes in a game.
Fans, however, can expect that to change this season.
In new offensive coordinator Phil Longo's Air Raid offense, Tucker said the tight ends will be targeted more often and in more areas of the field. Overall, he said the tight ends will be "more dynamic" in this offense than in the previous system.
"Last year, we'd be attached or detached, but most of the time we'd be blocking or most of the time the routes would be decoys," said Tucker, one of 60 players on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end.
"This year, we're also all over the place – they've got us motioning everywhere – but every time we're on the field, there's an opportunity for us to get the ball."
Even when he hasn't, Tucker has still made an impact. He didn't allow a quarterback pressure on 30 pass-blocking snaps last season, leading to an 83.8 pass-blocking grade, according to PFF. He also posted a 76.6 run-blocking grade en route to making the PFF All-ACC first team.
Still, Tucker sees room for growth. And he has Brewster to remind him of what he can be.
From the 11 NFL tight ends he's produced as a college coach to the likes of future Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, Tim Brewster has been around some special tight ends in his 30-plus years of coaching.
And he seems to think Carl Tucker could be another.
"Carl Tucker understands what I expect out of the tight end," said Brewster shortly after the end of spring ball. "I've coached Hall of Fame tight ends. I've coached NFL tight ends, a ton of them. I want elite players playing the position for us. So it's a tremendous challenge for Carl Tucker to embrace that thought and be elite."
Brewster has challenged Tucker to be just that since returning to Chapel Hill for his second stint on the Tar Heel coaching staff in November. Certainly, one could guess what that means. But after UNC's fourth training camp practice on Monday, Tucker offered up his definition.
"Elite entails being consistent, being great every day, which is tough being with (Brewster)," the redshirt senior told reporters inside Carolina's indoor practice facility. "He's a very hard guy. But he's getting me better every day. I feel like every practice this camp, I've been getting better in some form or fashion."
That could pose trouble for opposing defenses this fall.
After being sidelined for all but four games in 2017 due to injury, Tucker returned last season and served as the Tar Heels' top tight-end option in the passing game. He finished with 16 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he averaged 8.1 yards after the catch per reception, with his longest going for 80 yards.
That grab accounts for one of seven that he's turned into gains of 27 yards or more during his career; he also flashed his wheels with a 77-yard catch-and-run in the spring game. But despite his big-play ability, Tucker has never caught more than three passes in a game.
Fans, however, can expect that to change this season.
In new offensive coordinator Phil Longo's Air Raid offense, Tucker said the tight ends will be targeted more often and in more areas of the field. Overall, he said the tight ends will be "more dynamic" in this offense than in the previous system.
"Last year, we'd be attached or detached, but most of the time we'd be blocking or most of the time the routes would be decoys," said Tucker, one of 60 players on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end.
"This year, we're also all over the place – they've got us motioning everywhere – but every time we're on the field, there's an opportunity for us to get the ball."
Even when he hasn't, Tucker has still made an impact. He didn't allow a quarterback pressure on 30 pass-blocking snaps last season, leading to an 83.8 pass-blocking grade, according to PFF. He also posted a 76.6 run-blocking grade en route to making the PFF All-ACC first team.
Still, Tucker sees room for growth. And he has Brewster to remind him of what he can be.
Players Mentioned
Tight End
/ FootballUNC Men's Basketball: Tar Heels Fight Off St. Bonaventure, 85-70
Wednesday, November 26
FB: Players Pre-NC State Press Conference
Tuesday, November 25
FB: Head Coach Bill Belichick Pre-NC State Press Conference
Tuesday, November 25
Coach's Corner with Bill Belichick - Episode 12 - November 25, 2025
Tuesday, November 25