CHAPEL HILL – As devastating as injuries can be for a football player, it always also represents opportunity for another.

That’s what Carl Tucker faced last season just a few snaps into North Carolina’s season-opener versus Georgia at the Georgia Dome. Brandon Fritts went down and Tucker was called on to take on such a big role as a redshirt freshman.

In that game along, Tucker caught two key passes on third downs extending drives, and by the time the Tar Heels took the field the following week at Illinois, many of the nerves were gone. And now, as he’s less than two weeks from formally kicking off his sophomore campaign, Tucker is raring to go.

There’s an air of grizzled veteran to him.

“It was huge because I’d gotten thrown in, I didn’t know what to expect,” Tucker said, referring to taking over for Fritts early in the opener.

“All of those game jitters I had last year are gone now. I know what to expect, I know what to do, I’ve been through every situation. I’ve been at Florida State, in the Pitt (game) so I’m definitely comfortable in any situation.”

A 6-2, 255-pound native of Cornelius, NC, Tucker played in all 13 games last season, starting the majority of them, and ended up with 9 receptions for 130 yards, including 54-yard touchdown at Duke, which was mostly his legs doing the work after catching the pass.

Even while the nerves were gone, every once in a while some uncertainty would creep in. That’s typical for most first-year players.

“I would definitely say so. I got more comfortable…,” he said. “I was worried about messing up (but) as the season got on, I was used to it and it was just like ‘Play.’”

When the tight end position is brought up, Tucker is happy to speak about the loaded group. No me-first stuff from him. Heck, he was as excited to talk about redshirt freshman Garrett Walston’s progress, and Walston is likely the fourth-string player in that group right now.

“Compared to last year, he’s made huge, huge steps and he’s shown maturity and his routes are great,” Tucker said. “I feel like if you put any tight end on the field we’ll definitely be ready.”

As for the entire group, they are ready, Tucker said.

“I’m excited, we’re ready to go,” he said. “Everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do. We’ve definitely stepped up to our position and doing everything we’re supposed to do. All of us are consistent, we’re running the right routes, so everything’s in good hands.”