Twelve first-timers to start for Heels in opener

Posted Aug 30, 2007

Butch Davis has made clear that he isn't afraid to give freshmen significant playing time. It's a good thing, too. Otherwise, North Carolina's football coach might have trouble fielding a team this season. UNC enters its season opener Saturday against James Madison with one of the most inexperienced teams in the nation. Half of the team's 84 scholarship players are true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. (Durham Herald-Sun)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Jelani Thurman Showing Complete Skill Set in Expanded UNC Role
North Carolina has a game-changer at tight end in Jelani Thurman. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder leads the Tar Heels with 183 receiving yards and 16.6 yards...
Thu Oct 1, 2026

Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - Wait, Which One is Kenan?
Everybody loves a good pregame ceremony, and Kenan Stadium has hosted plenty through the years. That includes occasional appearances by parachutists delivering the game ball...
Thu Oct 1, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Can UNC Football Shock No. 3 Notre Dame?
UNC Football welcomes Notre Dame to Chapel Hill hoping to shock the world, but can North Carolina’s defensive line disrupt the Irish’s winning streak? CJ...
Thu Oct 1, 2026

Five Storylines Coming Out of UNC Football’s Second Open Week
UNC Football is coming off its second open week of the season and preparing for No. 3 Notre Dame this Saturday at Kenan Stadium to...
Thu Oct 1, 2026