Share
CHAPEL HILL It's not often that you hear a group of 300-pound offensive linemen called “a little thin.”
But that was the only phrase that Tar Heels offensive tackle Alan Pelc could use to describe North Carolina's unit this season, which has seen its depth chart shrink uncomfortably since the start of training camp.
“A lot of people were worried about our depth for '09, and we really weren't. We knew we had guys to step up,” redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper said. “But then we've sort of been injury-plagued a little bit, just in the past couple days.”
After losing two senior starters from last season to graduation, the Tar Heels already were seeing tight numbers before camp even started. Then Aaron Stahl decided to graduate and leave the program, foregoing a final year of eligibility.
Last week, reserve Kevin Bryant, who was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female this summer, decided not to return to the program for his sophomore season.
Most recently, sophomore Carl Gaskins tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that will sideline him the season.
The only solution with the number of available bodies dwindling, offensive line coach Sam Pittman said, is doubling roles for the remaining players.
Elsewhere
DUKE: As the Blue Devils entered training camp, second-year coach David Cutcliffe fielded countless questions about how his team expected to replace standout receiver Enron Riley.
Riley, who posted 2,413 career receiving yards, will certainly be missed, but the Devils have moved on. Cutcliffe talks about a group that is faster and loaded with potential. He wants more consistency.
“As a group this could be a really good receiving corps,” he said. “And we'll get better as the season goes.”
Coaches and players were pleased to see sophomore Donovan Varner return to the field after being carted off during Saturday's scrimmage.
Along with Varner, the Devils have junior Austin Kelly and sophomore Johnny Williams listed as preseason starters.
Freshmen Conner Vernon, Tyree Watkins and Corey Gattis have earned playing time with the second team and are competing for a place on the two-deep roster, which will be finalized and announced later this week. Edward G. Robinson III
SOUTH CAROLINA: Kicker Jay Wooten, who announced his decision to leave North Carolina earlier this summer, recently decided to walk on at South Carolina. He will be given a chance to earn a scholarship.
Wooten, who played at Laurinburg's Scotland High, had also considered Arkansas, Louisville and Coastal Carolina. But both of his parents were Gamecocks, and a meeting with head coach Steve Spurrier settled it.
“I always wanted to be a Gamecock,” Wooten told S.C. recruiting expert Phil Kornblut. “It's funny because it was not a good situation (coming out of high school).
“They didn't really need a kicker and I was excited about playing at North Carolina. Things didn't work out. They wanted me to concentrate more on kickoffs.”
Last season Wooten, then a sophomore, made all of his 11 extra point attempts and four of six field goals. As a transfer, he'll sit out this season and have three years to play his final two. Stan Olson
