2-deep going into camp

[WoadBlue]

OFFENSE

Left Tackle
75 - Bentley Spain (6-6, 300, So.)
51 - William Sweet (6-7, 300, Fr.)

Left Guard
70 - Caleb Peterson (6-5, 300, Jr.) OR
65 - Jared Cohen (6-3, 310, So.)

Center
68 - Lucas Crowley (6-3, 290, Jr.)
74 - Will Dancy (6-4, 305, Sr.)

Right Guard
78 - Landon Turner (6-4, 325, Sr.)
73 - Brad Henson (6-5, 290, So.)

Right Tackle
71 - Jon Heck (6-6, 300, Jr.)
77 - John Ferranto (6-5, 300, Jr.)
76 - R.J. Prince (6-6, 325, So.)

Tight End/Y
81 - Kendrick Singelton (6-2, 215, Sr.)
82 - Brandon Fritts (6-4, 245, Fr.*)

Quarterback
12 - Marquise Williams (6-2, 225, Sr.)
10 - Mitch Trubisky (6-3, 220, So.)

Tailback
8 - T.J. Logan (5-10, 190, Jr.) OR
34 - Elijah Hood (6-0, 220, So.) OR
21 - Romar Morris (5-10, 190, Sr.)

Wide Receiver
13 - Mack Hollins (6-4, 210, Jr.)
84 - Bug Howard (6-5, 210, Jr.)

Wide Receiver
3 - Ryan Switzer (5-10, 185, Jr.)
7 - Austin Proehl (5-10, 175, So.)

Wide Receiver
14 - Quinshad Davis (6-4, 220, Sr.)
35 - Damien Washington (6-1, 195, Sr.)

DEFENSE

Defensive End
44 - Junior Gnonkonde (6-4, 260, Jr.) OR
17 - Dajaun Drennon (6-4, 255, So.)

Defensive Tackle
95 - Tyler Powell (6-4, 290, So.)
49 - Jeremiah Clarke (6-5, 315, Fr.*)

Defensive Tackle
98 - Justin Thomason (6-4, 295, Sr.)
90 - Nazair Jones (6-5, 295, So.)

Defensive End
43 - Jessie Rogers (6-4, 270, Sr.) OR
97 - Jalen Dalton (6-6, 280, Fr.)
45 - Mikey Bart (6-3, 270, Jr.)

Sam Linebacker
42 - Shakeel Rashad (6-2, 235, Sr.)
34 - Cole Holcomb (6-1, 215, So.) OR
20 - Tyrell Tomlin (5-11, 235, So.)

Mike Linebacker
10 - Jeff Schoettmer (6-2, 235, Sr.)
47 - Dan Mastromatteo (6-2, 235, Jr.)
56 - Andre Smith (6-0, 235, Fr.)

Will Linebacker
32 - Joe Jackson (6-2, 225, Jr.)
23 - Cayson Collins (6-1, 235, So.)

Cornerback
6 - M.J. Stewart (5-11, 200, So.) OR
28 - Brian Walker (5-11, 190, Jr.)

Free Safety
3 - Sam Smiley (5-11, 190, Sr.)
15 - Donnie Miles (5-11, 210, So.)

Strong Safety
21 - J.K. Britt (6-0, 195, Fr.) OR
26 - Dominquie Green (5-11, 190, Jr.)
4 - Allen Artis (6-1, 205, So.)

Cornerback
11 - Malik Simmons (5-11, 190, Sr.) OR
2 - Des Lawrence (6-1, 185, Jr.)
19 - Kedrick Davis (5-10, 180, Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Place-kicker
24 - Nick Weiler (6-0, 190, Jr.)
98 - Freeman Jones (6-0, 200, Fr.*)

Kickoff Specialist
24 - Nick Weiler (6-0, 190, Jr.)
98 - Freeman Jones (6-0, 200, Fr.*)

Punter
90 - Corbin Daly (6-3, 200, Fr.*)
23 - Joey Mangili (6-3, 210, Jr.)

Deep Snapper
60 - Kyle Murphy (6-2, 225, So.)
61 - Hunter Crafford (6-2, 225, So.)

Kickoff Return
21 - Romar Morris (5-10, 190, Sr.)
35 - Damien Washington (6-1, 195, Sr.)
8 - T.J. Logan (5-10, 190, Jr.)

Punt Return
3 - Ryan Switzer (5-10, 185, Jr.)
7 - Austin Proehl (5-10, 175, So.)

 

[WoadBlue]

Thoughts

Spain is expected to be fully healthy and perhaps able to make a huge jump. Sweet is already planted his our #2 at LT. Ferranto has been shifted to back up Heck. While we lack expereicne at LT, that is a very sound foursome.

Cohen is listed with 2 year starter Peterson at LT - OR. They are co-#1 at LG. Cohen looked very good much of the time he played last year. With a Tuner at RG, by mid-season we could have a solid play a G as any team in the ACC.

Dancy not Hatton is listed as #2 C. Are we hoping to RS Hatton? That's great as long as injury to Crowley this year doe snot lead to another walk on snapping.

A 6-2 215 pound starting TE? Opposing LBs are happy about that.

At RB, we have starter Logan OR Hood OR Morris. Nice depth. I hope we get enough carries at the position to help the first two develop and keep Ds focused on stopping the RBs.

Powell is 1st team DT ahead of Clarke, and Jones is 2nd team DT behind Thomason. I hope that means both Powell and Thomason have made big progress. if so, we should get better DT play than any of us thought even last spring.

At one DE, we have Rogers OR Dalton. Look for Dalton to take that job early and be All-ACC freshman team.

SS Britt (another freshman) OR Green.

We have 7 seniors on the Offense 2 Deep, and 6 seniors on the Defense 2 Deep. 2016 is the year that 2010 should have been.

 

[Raising Heel]

Woad, what's the source of this information?

You're right, Cohen looked pretty good in limited playing time last season so I'm not surprised to see him pushing Peterson. No idea what Dancy at center is all about, but I'm not a fan. I think they're only listing freshmen who were early enrollees...I expect to see Hatton play as a freshman.

Didn't Singleton back up Tabb at TE last season? Supposedly he's pound-for-pound one of the strongest players on the team, but I agree that's a bad matchup with 230-240 lb. linebacker.

I wonder if Aaron Crawford will see the field as a freshman at DT? We seem awfully thin there. I do like seeing a lot of guys in the 300-lb. range though. Look at these weight gains from last season:

Powell: 285 to 290
Clarke: 275 to 315
Jones: 280 to 295
Thomason: 275 to 295

You can tell Chizik wants some beef in the middle. I hope he's showing up at these guys' dorm rooms in the middle of the night and forcing each of them to eat an entire pan of lasagna.

The weight gain by Dalton is coming into focus. Looks like they want him at strong side DE, not weak side DE. Everyone was recruiting him at WDE because of his pass-rushing acumen. I really thought Drennon started coming on at WDE last season, though, so I like the idea of him not getting lost in the shuffle.

The secondary continues to look messy. Would someone please step up and claim a starting spot already?

Interesting that Nick Weiler is ahead of Freeman Jones at PK. We have to have someone reliable there this season. Our hand was forced entirely too many times last year because of the inability to kick a field goal longer than 20 yards.

 

[uncboy10]

Hopefully the combo of Drennon/Dalton on the edges will help the pass rush generate more pressure/sacks. Even if the coverage and technique in the secondary improves, we've gotta get better penetration regardless of whether its a pass/run

The o-line needs to be as good as advertised. This running back core, +Marquise is ridiculous. Fed needs to make the most of the ground attack to open up the field for Hollins/Switzer & co.

Time to break the streak and win 9+

 

[The Sharkster]

Question: Do we have a field goal kicker this year that is able to hit from any kind of distance?

 

[Raising Heel]

Question: Do we have a field goal kicker this year that is able to hit from any kind of distance?

Nick Weiler has a great leg but accuracy was something of an issue for him. Jones was a scholarship recruit. Between the two of them, you have to think someone will emerge as reasonably dependable. Man did we get spoiled by the Barth Dynasty.

 

[TimBornBlue]

As we all know. ....line play (both sides) and special teams will dictate the outcome of many games. Praying for great line play this year. ....with this schedule, it could be a special season.

GO HEELS! !!!

Tim

 

[grillheel]

Woad, what's the source of this information?

You're right, Cohen looked pretty good in limited playing time last season so I'm not surprised to see him pushing Peterson. No idea what Dancy at center is all about, but I'm not a fan. I think they're only listing freshmen who were early enrollees...I expect to see Hatton play as a freshman.

Didn't Singleton back up Tabb at TE last season? Supposedly he's pound-for-pound one of the strongest players on the team, but I agree that's a bad matchup with 230-240 lb. linebacker.

I wonder if Aaron Crawford will see the field as a freshman at DT? We seem awfully thin there. I do like seeing a lot of guys in the 300-lb. range though. Look at these weight gains from last season:

Powell: 285 to 290
Clarke: 275 to 315
Jones: 280 to 295
Thomason: 275 to 295

You can tell Chizik wants some beef in the middle. I hope he's showing up at these guys' dorm rooms in the middle of the night and forcing each of them to eat an entire pan of lasagna.

The weight gain by Dalton is coming into focus. Looks like they want him at strong side DE, not weak side DE. Everyone was recruiting him at WDE because of his pass-rushing acumen. I really thought Drennon started coming on at WDE last season, though, so I like the idea of him not getting lost in the shuffle.

The secondary continues to look messy. Would someone please step up and claim a starting spot already?

Interesting that Nick Weiler is ahead of Freeman Jones at PK. We have to have someone reliable there this season. Our hand was forced entirely too many times last year because of the inability to kick a field goal longer than 20 yards.

Interesting post RH. By my calculations, Dalton has gained 60 pounds since committing. That could be great, in fact fabulous, if his speed is not affected. Man, would love to see another pass rusher like Peppers or Ellis; I've always thought PRESSURE is a major key to an effective defense. I am very interested to see if Mike Hughes makes a big enough impression in preseason to grab some playing time in the defensive backfield; we could use the help there. Also, thought Collins listed behind Jackson was interesting because he actually made a few good plays last year. Finally, the PK position is a big question mark because Nick, though having a strong leg, seems pretty inconsistent and I thought Jones was going to be the guy.

 

[Raising Heel]

By my calculations, Dalton has gained 60 pounds since committing.

Yup, although there's some speculation his weight as a recruit was understated by Rivals. I seem to remember him being about 255 in the spring so it has been incredible no matter how you slice it.

I am very interested to see if Mike Hughes makes a big enough impression in preseason to grab some playing time in the defensive backfield.

Marquise cited Hughes as the most impressive defensive player in OTAs this summer. There are a lot of contenders at CB but all signs going back to Hughes' recruitment indicate he's a sleeper pick to make the 2-deep this season as a true freshman.

Also, thought Collins listed behind Jackson was interesting because he actually made a few good plays last year.

Yeah, seems like most people have been surprised by this and we have yet to hear a good explanation why. Maybe we'll learn more during camp evaluations.

 

[The Sharkster]

Wow, I am almost getting excited but not getting my hopes up too high. If that makes any sense whatsoever. Heels need to come out and play every game like it's their last and be competitive on the field. At least put themselves in a position to win every game they play.

 

[nolegeorge]

I would also like to add that the experience of the UNC offense will help your D because they will have to play against a pretty good O in practice ... it very well may be much better than what they will see during the game which is always a bonus. Just in listening to some of the videos it sure seems like they will be coming out with a chip on their shoulder.

 

[HeelFan58]

I would also like to add that the experience of the UNC offense will help your D because they will have to play against a pretty good O in practice ... it very well may be much better than what they will see during the game which is always a bonus. Just in listening to some of the videos it sure seems like they will be coming out with a chip on their shoulder.

They should be coming out with a chip on their shoulders after all the shat we have talked 'bout them.

 

[nolegeorge]

They should be coming out with a chip on their shoulders after all the shat we have talked 'bout them.

LOL ... rightfully so then