DeAndre Smith On His RB Group, Pass Pro & Being Ready

CHAPEL HILL – THI caught up with North Carolina running backs coach DeAndre Smith following Tuesday’s practice at Kenan Stadium to discuss his group and their readiness for the season opener Saturday at home against California.

Among the things Smith noted:

*How his young backs are coming along with pass protection. He said it’s “a work in progress” but also that he’s satisfied with where they are.

*With Jordon Brown having limited action a year ago and Michael Carter a true freshman, Smith said it’s time to find out what they can do in an actual game.

“The times when I worked with them in the spring I’d seen that they are dynamic, there’s no question about it. Now you just get the reward of seeing those guys make people miss in the open field taking it to the house and being physical and moving the chains, we’ll actually get to see it in a game situation.”

*UNC has three backs, Auburn grad transfer Stanton Truitt along with Brown and Carter, expected to produce, but after that it would make sense if there’s some concern, especially if someone in the trio gets hurt. Truitt has actually missed a lot of practice time, so is Smith comfortable with what he has behind the trio?

“I’m not concerned at all. Those guys, they’re going to have to get out there and produce, there’s no doubt about it, but that’s my job to make sure they are out there able to do it.

The other backs of note are true freshman Kayne Roberts and former linebacker, sophomore Johnathan Sutton.