Dazzling Dazz

CHAPEL HILL – Sometimes, the best way to get a gauge on someone is asking those who are most often around them.

Their vantage point allows for a unique perspective, an honest one that is unfailing. And that’s why the words emanating from within the North Carolina football program about sophomore wide receiver Dazz Newsome should have Tar Heels’ supporters downright giddy given that he’s just now tapping his immense talent.

Newsome is fast, everyone has known that since he was in high school in Hampton, VA. He’s got excellent hands, which was also regularly on display as a top-level cornerback and receiver for the Hampton Crabbers.

And he’s what teammates call a baller. Whether on defense of offense, Newsome has always embraced the nature of his positions, so when UNC moved him from corner to wide receiver about 14 months ago out of need, Newsome almost flawlessly made the transition.

The only drawback to his game, though, was as a true freshman, he just hadn’t been on the field enough to add caginess to his barrel of qualities. That’s now changed.

“Last year, he was a true freshman and he was out there playing college football and it didn’t come as fast to him,” UNC Coach Larry Fedora said. “When you put the ball in his hands, he still made plays. Now, he has a much better feel for how to run routes, how to get open, he’s not just running it the way you draw it on the board, now he’s actually a receiver and he understands.”

In nine games a year ago, two of which he started, the 5-11, 185 pounder caught 18 passes for 227 yards. He also ran the ball eight times for 52 yards. The yardage could have been greater, though.

Newsome admitted he didn’t anticipate well last fall, so he worked on raising the mental element of his game. He worked on getting open in tight situations, and of course, he worked even more on his speed which includes better processing what he sees during the flash of a play.

Even prior to fall camp, Anthony Ratliff-Williams gushed about Newsome’s growth in understanding the nuances of his position.

“He’s coming into his own game,” Ratliff-Williams said at the time. “He’s understanding the game of football at an offensive perspective.”

As for Newsome’s game two months later? Look no further than his quarterback for a pretty good idea.

“He’s just a little more mature. He played quite a bit last year and saw what college football is like,” Nathan Elliott said. “I think he realized he could be very special. He’s very talented, very explosive. He’s just matured a lot and realized what he can do.”

Elliott and Newsome hooked up six times to the tune of 110 yards in Carolina’s 38-35 win over Pittsburgh this past weekend. Most of Newsome’s runs came after the catch, as Elliott put the speedster in space with short tosses allowing Newsome to use his natural gifts.

It obviously worked out well, and it fed into Newsome’s comfort zone.

“That’s what you want,” Newsome said. “Nobody should be able to tackle you one-on-one in open space. You should at least make one person miss every play, every time you get the ball.”

Newsome, the Tar Heels’ punt returner is tied for the team lead with 11 receptions and appears to just now be breaking through to the next level of his potential.

There are many more for him to scale, and it’s a matter of time before he does.