Lucas: Freshmen Building Foundation In Different Ways

Posted Sep 27, 2007

True to his preseason predictions, Butch Davis has been loathe to play true freshman on the offensive and defensive lines--areas where they are likely to be physically outmanned by players four years older and significantly stronger. Only two rookie linemen have played, both on defense--Marvin Austin, who Davis calls "an exception" because of his preternatural size and strength, and Tydreke Powell. (Tar Heel Blue)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Four veterans look to anchor UNC football’s offensive line
After the Tar Heels fielded the second-least productive offense in the ACC in 2025, averaging just 19.3 points per game, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was...
Wed Aug 26, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - UNC Athletes and the NCAA's Five-for-Five Conundrum
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the NCAA's messy failure to take the simple step of grandfathering in the 2022 class to...
Wed Aug 26, 2026

Jordan Shipp Sees a Different UNC Football Team Entering 2026
Jordan Shipp remembers what UNC Football looked like at this point a year ago. The Tar Heels were preparing for their first season under Bill...
Wed Aug 26, 2026

UNC running backs primed to start strongly under Bobby Petrino
Finishing 14th among ACC teams in rushing yards last season, North Carolina returns its top two running backs in Demon June and Benjamin Hall. The...
Wed Aug 26, 2026