UNC Football early opponent preview: NC State WolfpackSeven of NC State's upcoming opponents finished last season with a winning record and eight made a bowl game. Under coach Dave Doeren, NC State is 3-23 in games against Power Five teams with a winning record. All three of those wins came last season. State has a much harder nonconference schedule compared to the cupcake slate they normally play. (Keeping It Heel)
Bears' Mitchell Trubisky knew he'd be an NFL quarterback in first gradeEveryone in Mentor, Ohio, knew that Mitchell Trubisky was going to be special. Including young Mitchell. In a segment "Rolling With the Rookies," Trubisky, his family and those in Mentor reflect on the quarterback's path to the NFL. His mother said that Trubisky wrote for a school assignment in first or second grade that he wanted to "play in the NFL and be a football star." (CSN Chicago)
Five With Fedora: Spring RecapLarry Fedora: "Last spring was different than this spring because we had so many familiar faces at the top of the depth chart. We have that on the defensive side of the ball this year, but on offense we're replacing a lot of guys. This spring I really enjoyed watching the new guys step up to that challenge and work to develop themselves and make this team better." (GoHeels.com)
UNC Converting Two Sections of Kenan Stadium to ChairbacksIn the late 1940s, Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice’s No. 22 was synonymous with bringing UNC football fans to their feet. Now that number will be significant in making them more comfortable in their seats. UNC is changing two sections of Kenan Stadium, installing chairback seats that have a width of 22 inches to improve the gameday experience for those ticket holders. (Inside Carolina)
Ralph Strayhorn Jr.: Always on call for his alma materA native of Durham, Ralph Strayhorn, Jr. was recruited by UNC assistant football coach Jim Tatum and played three seasons with the Tar Heels before he entered the United States Navy and served in the Pacific theater from 1943 until 1946, completing his active service as a sub-chaser commanding officer. He served twenty years in the U. S. Naval Reserve, retiring in 1962. (UNC.edu)
Five things to know about Eric Ebron including his contract and his roleEric Ebron is ready to go. His fifth-year option for the 2018 season was picked up two weeks ago. The Detroit Lions tight end sees good things ahead in the third year of Jim Bob Cooter's offense. And, perhaps most importantly, physically he's feeling good. (Oakland Press)
Despite Natural Beasley Comparisons, Switzer Found “Big Brother” In DezThe comparisons to Cole Beasley were inevitable from the moment the Dallas Cowboys drafted Ryan Switzer out of North Carolina. And while he’s certainly a similar type of receiver, Switzer has been drawn to an even more prominent Cowboys receiver. “Dez has been like a big brother to me so far,” Switzer said, before adding, “I know we’ve only known each other for going on a month now.” (Dallas Cowboys)
Barth brothers to host annual kicking campChicago Bears kicker Connor Barth and his brother Casey are hosting their annual kicking camp July 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Scott Braswell Stadium at Hoggard High School. Campers will receive instruction on the physical and mental aspects of kicking from the two former UNC standouts. Chicago Bears punter Pat O’Donnell and long snapper Patrick Scales will be special guests. (WECT)
Cam Thomas Signs With Kansas City ChiefsCam Thomas is the latest addition to the Kansas City Chiefs defensive front, bringing steeper competition to the mix when there’s already going to be plenty of solid players cut before the regular season. Over the last three years, Thomas has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014-15) and St. Louis Rams (2016), failing to find a long-term home but always able to find work. (Arrowhead Addict)
Development Of Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky Begins With Attention To Every DetailDuring his days in Chapel Hill, it was so rare that Mitchell Trubisky would throw an incompletion that Tar Heel teammates were genuinely surprised when it happened. Mistakes are part of growth for a young quarterback, and the rookie Trubisky has learned to embrace them during his first month of practice with the Bears. (CBS Chicago)
UNC football: Was Brandon Harris the better option than Malik Zaire all along?North Carolina added former LSU quarterback Brandon Harris this spring, filling a key gap following the loss of Mitch Trubisky. But are the Tar Heels better off with Harris, or would they had been better off with former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire? Zaire recently chose Florida after giving serious thought to UNC earlier this spring, prior to Harris’ decision to join the Tar Heels. (ACC Sports Journal)
College Football Preview 2017: Is North Carolina In Need Of A Rebuild?Larry Fedora has put together an interesting nine years as a head coach, with nine straight bowl eligible seasons between Southern Miss and North Carolina, a Conference USA title, a trip to the ACC Championship, and plenty of noise along the way. But this year could be different. There’s rebuilding, and there’s what the Tar Heels will have to do offensively this season. (College Football News)
For Chicago Bears' Trubisky, it's all footballFor the first time in rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky's life, football is a full-time job. That's one of the biggest differences he has found between playing football as a student-athlete and as a pro. "It wasn't really a surprise" Trubisky said after Tuesday's OTA practice, "but (there's a) realization of how much time you actually have to put in to be an NFL quarterback -- an NFL player in general." (Chicago Daily Herald)
Predictions on ACC football's breakout stars in 2017Malik Carney, UNC It's been a slow burn for UNC's defensive front. In 2015, the focus was on avoiding catastrophe. In 2016, a slew of injuries across the line stifled progress. But in 2017, with new coordinator Jon Papuchis at the helm, this feels like a turning point. On a line that finally has some respectable talent, Carney stands out as the best mix of experience and upside. (ESPN.com)
Chansky’s Notebook: A Happy Homecoming For Julius Peppers?Is Julius Peppers returning to the Panthers about just going home again? Peppers is still one of the most imposing football players you will ever see. But at age 37, and wealthier than he could have ever imagined as a kid back in Bailey, North Carolina, has Peppers come home to end his career comfortably or to help the Panthers get back to the Super Bowl? (Chapelboro.com)
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| Coastal Division | ACC | Overall |
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| (16) Virginia Tech | 6-3 | 10-4 | | North Carolina | 5-3 | 8-5 | | (20) Miami | 5-3 | 9-4 | | Pittsburgh | 5-3 | 8-5 | | Georgia Tech | 4-4 | 9-4 | | Virginia | 1-7 | 2-10 | | Duke | 1-7 | 4-8 |
| Atlantic Division | ACC | Overall |
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| (1) Clemson | 8-1 | 14-1 | | (21) Louisville | 7-1 | 9-4 | | (8) Florida State | 5-3 | 10-3 | | NC State | 3-5 | 7-6 | | Wake Forest | 3-5 | 7-6 | | Syracuse | 2-6 | 4-8 | | Boston College | 2-6 | 7-6 |
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