2009 OUTLOOK: North Carolina made significant improvement last season when the Tar Heels entered the final month of the season with a shot at winning a berth in the ACC title game.
With 16 starters returning from an 8-5 team, the Tar Heels look to contend in the division again. They have a veteran, proven quarterback plus several all-star candidates on their defensive unit, but need a lot of help at wide receiver.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: QB T.J. Yates hopes to stay injury-free after missing five games last season because of an ankle injury. He'll be throwing to a pack of new receivers, however, with the departures of game-breakers Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster. Running back looks solid with newcomer James Womble joining Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston at tailback, and three starters -- LF Kyle Jolly, RG Alan Pelc, and C Lowell Dyer -- return up front.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Nine starters return with the only losses LB Mark Paschal and SS Trimane Goddard. Goddard's seven interceptions will be missed, however. The front four of DEs E.J. Wilson and Robert Quinn and DTs Marvin Austin and Cam Thomas could be the best in the league, and even with the loss of Goddard, the secondary looks strong with FS Deunta Williams and CBs Jordan Hemby and Kendric Burney. LBs Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter are both proven veterans.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Finding returners and a punter will be the priorities. PK Casey Barth had a solid freshman year with 10 field goals in 15 attempts. He was 33 of 33 on extra points. Walk-on Grant Schallock is the top candidate to take over punting duties, and junior Johnny White will add punt returns to his responsibilities after averaging 22.6 yards per try on 15 kickoff returns last season.?
ROSTER REPORT:
--The St, Petersburg Times reported that Angelo Hadley, a Tar Heels signee from Seffner, Fla., was arrested on April 5 on two felony charges of lewd and lascivious battery. The report stated that the 18-year-old was invited to the home of a 14-year-old girl, where they had consensual sex. The girl's mother learned of the incident and pressed charges.
--LB Quan Sturdivant has moved to the middle to take over for Mark Paschal. He will be flanked by returnee Bruce Carter and newcomer Zach Brown on the first unit.
--Backup QBs Mike Paulus and Braden Hanson got a chance to shine in the spring game. Paulus was 12 of 15 passing for 51 yards and Hanson 6-for-7 for 55 yards. Starter T.J. Yates was 5-for-8 for 96 yards.
