Fedora Talks Rodgers' Return, Defense & Camp At This Point

CHAPEL HILL – UNC football coach Larry Fedora met with the media following Friday morning’s practice at Kenan Stadium to discuss where his team is as fall camp is about to conclude and the season opener just two weeks away.

In addition to briefly answering a couple of questions about how his being in Nashville on Wednesday meeting with the NCAA affected his program, Fedora also discussed the quarterback situation, Khaliel Rodgers’ return, elements of the defense and that he says the team needs “a hundred” more practices to get ready for the season opener on Sept. 2 versus California.

*As for Rodgers, the graduate transfer from Southern Cal, Fedora said with Friday morning being the offensive guard’s first day back after missing nearly two weeks it was too hard to tell where he is. But the Tar Heels will scrimmage Saturday morning, and the staff will learn a lot more about where Rodgers is at this time.

*Fedora said that senior DE Dajaun Drennon is “hungry” to get back out onto the field in a game with full health, unlike last season, which was pretty much a wash for the New Jersey native. Fedora said he can see it in Drennon’s practice habits and that he doesn’t take a play for granted.

*Tomon Fox played two games at defensive end as a true freshman last season before suffering an injury that cost him the remainder of the season. While he missed a great deal of practice time, those two games he played extensively in and the film from them are benefiting the redshirt freshman in camp.

“He got to play a few games before he had his injury, so it’s good for him. He knows what the speed of the game will be like – you see that in him in practice. He knows how to prepare himself.”

*With training camp almost over, Fedora said there’s “never enough time, never enough time… We need a hundred more practices… No decisions have been made at this time.”

*Fedora said the competition at quarterback has not changed.