Looking at North Carolina's depth chart, you see 20 players with the attachments of Fr. and Fr.* - that's true freshmen and redshirt freshmen. Some won't play in the opener against James Madison but over half of them could. Of the eighty-four scholarship players on the roster, forty-two are either "trues" or "reds". To borrow a Mack Brown quote from his early days in Chapel Hill, "Gosh we're young!"
There is a lot of interest around here in (Fr) Greg Little. The first year player from Hillside changed his commitment from Notre Dame to North Carolina. You won't see his name anywhere on the opening game depth chart but don't worry...Little should play a lot. Since he plays several positions, UNC didn't list him at all.
Carolina will send 12 first-time starters to the field against James Madison...six on offense and six on defense. You just don't know what to expect with that kind of inexperience. Most of the time youth translates to uncertainty and hesitation leads to openings for your opponent.
On the other side of the unknown, maybe these young players are good enough to make an immediate impact. What will the results be when (Fr*) quarterback T. J. Yates makes his first career hand-off to sophomore running back Richie Rich? (1 career carry for minus 1 yard, 2 career catches for 24 yards) If defenses have to respect Carolina's running game, that will help Yates take advantage of the most experienced group on the roster, the wide receivers. Or what if, (Fr) defensive tackle Marvin Austin could pressure the quarterback into a quick throw that (Fr*) free safety Deunta Williams steps in front of for the pick.
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