CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina held its second practice of fall camp Thursday morning, and afterward, Tar Heels junior linebacker Power Echols met with the media fielding questions about his position group, the defense, Gene Chizik, and more.
Echols was third on the Tar Heels’ defense last season playing 871 snaps. He was second with 103 tackles, of which 70 were solo, and five were TFLs. Echols and senior Cedric Gray are anchors of UNC’s defense, one that expects to perform much better than a year ago, when the Heels finished the season ranked No. 115 overall, including Nos. 101 in scoring, 85 in rushing, 115 in passing, 86 in red zone, and 127 in first downs allowed.
Above is video of the Q&A session with Echols, and below are some bullet points of things he discussed:
*It’s no secret UNC was thin after Cedric Gray and Echols at inside linebacker last season, and while there isn’t much experience behind them now, the group appears more sculpted to develop into a serviceable second and third units. Gray agrees.
“We have a lot more depth, a lot better understanding of what’s going on with the defense, and a lot more talent,” he said.
*Amare Campbell is a true freshman whose name has come up a lot, first in the spring, and now recently. He might be the first ILB off the bench if needed, and Gray couldn’t say enough about the Virginia native, saying, “just his tenacity, his knowledge for the game, and his love of the game,” Echols said.
*Echols said being in the second year of Gene Chizik’s defense is huge. He said they worked out the kinks and corrected the “mishaps we had last year.”
How is it noticeable?
“It’s quicker,” he replied. “We’re just executing a lot quicker than before, much more efficient. Everything just looks cleaner out there.”
*Echols was asked about having to play so many snaps a year ago and how he prepared for it and kept it from wearing him down. “My name’s ‘Power,’ so I already have no burden.”
*Also, Echols spoke about improving his pass coverage, technique and understanding, with an emphasis his “eye discipline.”
-He spoke about ILB Coach Tommy Thigpen, DT Travis Shaw, how close the defense is from being what it wants, and what he thinks are realistic expectations for the D.
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