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GoHeels Exclusive: Myles Dorn Q&A
August 6, 2019 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
After starting 21 games and playing 33 through the first three seasons of his North Carolina career, Myles Dorn has been tasked with learning a new defense as a senior.
Speaking with reporters after UNC's fourth training camp practice on Monday, Dorn talked about that adjustment and the intricacies of Jay Bateman's defense, among other topics. The following is an excerpt from the interview.
Q: Coach Bateman says you guys aren't safeties or cornerbacks, you're all just DBs. Most everyone is kind of floating around and learning the different spots. How much floating are you doing since you've kind of always been a safety here?
Myles Dorn: Not that much, but he still tells me to know it all just in case. We're all learning every position just in case we've got to go in. He's trying to find the best players, and the best players are going to play.
Q: Is it kind of exciting seeing the different guys learn all those different spots, especially knowing they can get into a game and contribute from a variety of different spots?
MD: Definitely. It allows us to get the best players on the field, no matter what position. The best players are going to play.
Q: Has there been any adjustment period for you, being limited in the spring like you were, now that you're actually full-go?
MD: Not really. It's just the mental part of it. If you keep your mental sharp, then the physical will come. It's been a pretty smooth transition.
Q: What's been the most exciting part about digging into the complexities of the new defense?
MD: Just the fact that it's new. It's something different. I knew the last defense like the back of my hand. So sitting in the meetings, it was not boring, but it was kind of repetitive. And now we get new terminology, new schemes. So, it's fun.
Q: Is that something that kind of keeps you on your toes and a little more alert?
MD: Definitely. I'm always doing something. I'm always trying to get something out of what Coach Bateman has. It keeps me on my toes. He asks questions all the time. So, it's positive.
Q: You guys didn't disguise as much before. Has it taken a while to adapt to learning how to disguise while knowing you're going to do something different?
MD: Not really. It's just about knowing where your players are going to be at. Communication is the biggest part.
Q: We've heard a lot from Bateman about the complexity of his defense, trying to keep it simple for you guys while it looks very complex for the other team. Is he doing things that are a lot different from what you've seen in the past? You've played a lot of college football. Is it that unique?
MD: It's definitely different, but football is football. … He definitely puts in his own tweak to it and it's special.
Q: What's your mindset heading into your final season?
MD: Win every game. That's all that matters.
Q: Who are some wide receivers who have impressed you thus far?
MD: Definitely (Rontavius Groves). He's been going at it. Dyami (Brown) has been looking good. Everybody has been looking good and smooth. Everybody is faster. Shoutout to Coach (Brian) Hess. He's been really pushing speed, and you can see it on the field, for sure.
After starting 21 games and playing 33 through the first three seasons of his North Carolina career, Myles Dorn has been tasked with learning a new defense as a senior.
Speaking with reporters after UNC's fourth training camp practice on Monday, Dorn talked about that adjustment and the intricacies of Jay Bateman's defense, among other topics. The following is an excerpt from the interview.
Q: Coach Bateman says you guys aren't safeties or cornerbacks, you're all just DBs. Most everyone is kind of floating around and learning the different spots. How much floating are you doing since you've kind of always been a safety here?
Myles Dorn: Not that much, but he still tells me to know it all just in case. We're all learning every position just in case we've got to go in. He's trying to find the best players, and the best players are going to play.
Q: Is it kind of exciting seeing the different guys learn all those different spots, especially knowing they can get into a game and contribute from a variety of different spots?
MD: Definitely. It allows us to get the best players on the field, no matter what position. The best players are going to play.
Q: Has there been any adjustment period for you, being limited in the spring like you were, now that you're actually full-go?
MD: Not really. It's just the mental part of it. If you keep your mental sharp, then the physical will come. It's been a pretty smooth transition.
Q: What's been the most exciting part about digging into the complexities of the new defense?
MD: Just the fact that it's new. It's something different. I knew the last defense like the back of my hand. So sitting in the meetings, it was not boring, but it was kind of repetitive. And now we get new terminology, new schemes. So, it's fun.
Q: Is that something that kind of keeps you on your toes and a little more alert?
MD: Definitely. I'm always doing something. I'm always trying to get something out of what Coach Bateman has. It keeps me on my toes. He asks questions all the time. So, it's positive.
Q: You guys didn't disguise as much before. Has it taken a while to adapt to learning how to disguise while knowing you're going to do something different?
MD: Not really. It's just about knowing where your players are going to be at. Communication is the biggest part.
Q: We've heard a lot from Bateman about the complexity of his defense, trying to keep it simple for you guys while it looks very complex for the other team. Is he doing things that are a lot different from what you've seen in the past? You've played a lot of college football. Is it that unique?
MD: It's definitely different, but football is football. … He definitely puts in his own tweak to it and it's special.
Q: What's your mindset heading into your final season?
MD: Win every game. That's all that matters.
Q: Who are some wide receivers who have impressed you thus far?
MD: Definitely (Rontavius Groves). He's been going at it. Dyami (Brown) has been looking good. Everybody has been looking good and smooth. Everybody is faster. Shoutout to Coach (Brian) Hess. He's been really pushing speed, and you can see it on the field, for sure.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Back
/ Football
Wide Receiver
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