Dillard, Spain Set to Lead UNC Offensive LineOn Monday Larry Fedora essentially named senior Bentley Spain and grad transfer Cam Dillard the starters at left tackle and center, respectively. The fact that Dillard has secured the center spot is huge given the importance of that position for the unity and chemistry of the group. With Spain locking down the left tackle spot, it puts to bed any rumors of a move inside. (Inside Carolina)
Has Bears rookie Mitch Trubisky arrived earlier than expected?Deonte Thompson's eyes bulged. The Bears receiver knew what he had seen. Sure, it was only one play in one exhibition game, one flash of brilliance during one August snapshot of Mitch Trubisky's rookie development. But man … Third-and-18 from the Broncos 44. Out of the shotgun, Trubisky dropped and set. Trubisky's dart arrived on time and on the money. (Chicago Tribune)
UNC's M.J. Stewart Among Todd McShay's Top CornersThe 2017 college football season hasn't even started but it's never too early to start looking at the next NFL Draft.
ESPN NFL Draft Analysis Todd McShay has released his top 10 at each position and a Tar Heel is one of his top cornerback prospects. UNC senior M.J. Stewart is No. 2 on McShay's cornerback list. (Inside Carolina)
Ravens move James Hurst inside to left guard after Alex Lewis is lost for seasonJames Hurst learned in his first three seasons with the Ravens that he needs to be prepared for everything. As a reserve offensive tackle, he understood that at any moment, he could be summoned from the sideline and asked to block one of the NFL’s top pass rushers. So the transition he is now making — moving from right tackle to left guard — isn’t all that daunting. (Baltimore Sun)
Healthy & Happy, Dajuan Drennon Has High Expectations For The DLThis month, in Dajuan Drennon's last time through fall camp as a Tar Heel, the 6-4, 245-pound senior from Clemontown, NJ, is healthy, happy and excited. “It’s been great. It’s totally different,” he said. “Now, I’m more in tune with what’s going on, I can actually run through the reps with the guys. It’s not as much just watching film, I can see myself making the plays.” (Tar Heel Illustrated)
Ditka, Urlacher weigh in on Trubisky as the Bears’ starting QBAll it took was one good preseason game from a rookie backup quarterback and one bad one from the starter to get Chicago talking. Like many Bears fans, several of the team’s alumni shared their thoughts about Mitch Trubisky’s debut Thursday against the Broncos. ‘‘What I saw out of Trubisky, for a rookie in his first game, I thought was outstanding," said Mike Ditka. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Why a state title will be an uphill battle for UNC footballAlthough UNC has been the state’s most consistent team over the last 10 years, it doesn’t look like the best heading into 2017. Duke and NC State are the only in-state FBS teams on UNC’s schedule this fall. At least at this point, neither has the look of a “gimme” opponent. For the first time ever, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils will meet in the month of September. (FanRag Sports)
Linebacker Bruce Carter Having Great Camp, Feasting On Jets’ Raw OffenseThe pass came down the middle, was tipped by a Jets defender and then linebacker Bruce Carter tried to corral it. The ball hit the turf and Carter pounded the ground. A few plays later, a running back swept to the outside, only to find Carter standing his ground and ruining the play. It was that kind of practice Thursday for the seven-year veteran. He was everywhere. (CBS New York)
With all three starters penciled in, linebacking corps offers North Carolina some stabilityAmid a training camp full of new faces, UNC’s linebacking corps is arguably the most stable part of the team. Much of the offense is still under construction, and while there’s a lot of depth along the defensive line and in the secondary, there are still questions that remain. But Larry Fedora knows this: Andre Smith, Cayson Collins and Cole Holcomb will be his linebackers. (Daily Tar Heel)
For Patrice Rene, It's All About Learning And ProgressingPatrice Rene, who was in on 16 tackles and had a pair of pass breakups and a pair of deflections a year ago, and the Tar Heels are competing for spots on the depth chart this month, in his case trying to impressive new secondary coach Terry Joseph. Rene is being pushed, but he maintains it’s all about the grind and competing. “Everything is a learning experience,” Rene said. (Tar Heel Illustrated)
Five Questions With UNC Defensive Line Coach Deke AdamsWhat factors brought you back to UNC? "There were times after we left Chapel Hill that I would say to my wife, 'Looking back, I wish we wouldn't have left Chapel Hill.' It's such a great place to live and work. I feel like it has unbelievable support from the university and the community. It's a special place. Now when my wife and I talk about Chapel Hill, we talk about retiring here." (GoHeels.com)
Mitch Trubisky's lifelong dream becomes realityWin or lose, success or failure, Mitch Trubisky was going to remember his first NFL game Thursday simply because it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. “It was important for me not to let this moment go by and just realize how far I’ve come,” Trubisky said after starring in the Bears’ 24-17 preseason-opening loss to the Broncos. “It was a special night." (Chicago Bears)
Return of the MackWe doubted him. And every time he reestablished himself as a bonafide football star. But that’s nothing out of the ordinary for Mack Hollins. On Thursday, he did it again. His first play as an Eagle. It was preseason, our first time watching Mack in the NFL. No. 10 slants across the middle and makes the catch. He stiff-arms defenders, bursts down the sideline and finds the end zone. (Argyle Report)
Dez Bryant: Ryan Switzer "will be a Pro Bowl returner in his rookie year"Dez Bryant made a bold prediction after practice Thursday, and it wasn't about himself. Bryant surely has his own goals this season, but he set the bar pretty high for one of his rookie teammates: Ryan Switzer. Bryant said Switzer will get "four or five" special teams return touchdowns this season. "He will be a Pro Bowl returner in his rookie year," Bryant said. (NFL.com)
Bug Howard getting more opportunities due to Colts' injuries"A guy like (rookie wide receiver) Bug Howard, he took a million reps today. Not supposed to," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "But he tested his limits today. He got uncomfortable, and he was able to tolerate the discomfort and push through. He'll be better for having to go through something like that. So I'm proud of Bug and the rest of those guys." (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)
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| Presbyterian College | 0 | | at Wake Forest | 0 | | Thursday 6:30 PM |
| | Central Connecticut | 0 | | at Syracuse | 0 | | Friday 7:00 PM |
| | Boston College | 0 | | at Northern Illinois | 0 | | Friday 9:30 PM |
| | Kent State | 0 | | at #5 Clemson | 0 | | Saturday 12:00 PM |
| | California | 0 | | at North Carolina | 0 | | Saturday 12:20 PM |
| | Bethune-Cookman | 0 | | at #18 Miami | 0 | | Saturday 12:30 PM |
| | Youngstown State | 0 | | at Pittsburgh | 0 | | Saturday 1:00 PM |
| | NC State | 0 | | at South Carolina | 0 | | Saturday 3:00 PM |
| | William & Mary | 0 | | at Virginia | 0 | | Saturday 3:30 PM |
| | North Carolina Central | 0 | | at Duke | 0 | | Saturday 6:00 PM |
| | #17 Louisville | 0 | | at Purdue | 0 | | Saturday 7:30 PM |
| | #3 Florida State | 0 | | at #1 Alabama | 0 | | Saturday 8:00 PM |
| | #20 West Virginia | 0 | | at #22 Virginia Tech | 0 | | Sunday 7:30 PM |
| | #24 Tennessee | 0 | | at Georgia Tech | 0 | | Monday 8:00 PM |
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Scores provided by a third-party and may be delayed by a couple of minutes |
| Coastal Division | ACC | Overall |
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| (18) Miami | 0-0 | 0-0 | | (22) Virginia Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Georgia Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Pittsburgh | 0-0 | 0-0 | | North Carolina | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Virginia | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Duke | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Atlantic Division | ACC | Overall |
|---|
| (3) Florida State | 0-0 | 0-0 | | (5) Clemson | 0-0 | 0-0 | | (17) Louisville | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Syracuse | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Wake Forest | 0-0 | 0-0 | | Boston College | 0-0 | 0-0 | | NC State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
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