The Tarheels

why does it bother you how young their roster is? Seems it would be a good thing if you're fan of an opponent.

 

There are 27 freshmen, including redshirts, 22 juniors and 19 sophomores.

Jolly, who was recruited by former coach John Bunting, said he expected some roster attrition when Butch Davis replaced Bunting after the 2006 season. Since then, 26 players who had at least one season of eligibility remaining are no longer on the team.

The exits include players who graduated, transferred, left the team, were dismissed from the team or were put on medical hardship.

"I think any time a coach takes over a program, he's going to try to make some room," Jolly said.

UNC's departures are in line with those at Duke (28) and N.C. State (20) over the same time span. What's unusual at UNC is more players left after Davis' second season than the first.

Since the end of the '08 season, 16 players have left the team. Nine of those who departed would have been seniors; only one, receiver Hakeem Nicks, left early for the NFL.

Davis said he has not forced anyone out of the program to clear scholarships for players that he recruited.

"There was nothing that was ever clandestine or deceitful," Davis said. "It wasn't like we pulled the rug out from under these kids."

Davis has the support of his boss, athletic director Dick Baddour, on all personnel decisions.

"He has a tremendous handle on making the necessary judgments," Baddour said. "Butch has been very mindful to give kids every opportunity to be part of the program."

Of the 16 who left, five players graduated and did not return to the program for their final season of eligibility. Four of the 16 -- quarterback Cam Sexton, receiver Kenton Thornton, running back Richie Rich and tight end B.J. Phillips -- transferred to lower-division programs to continue their football careers.

Phillips, who signed with UNC as a quarterback in '06 before switching to tight end, said he left the program for playing time.

"No one tried to force me out," Phillips said. "Everybody [at UNC] was really supportive of the decision."

Phillips said the UNC coaches helped him put together tape and find a roster spot at The Citadel, a Football Championship Subdivision program.

Two of the players -- Sexton and guard Aaron Stahl -- who graduated and ended their UNC careers, were starters during the '08 season. Sexton transferred to Division II Catawba, and Stahl is out of football. Davis said he preferred that they would have stayed at UNC.

"Trust me, the way [Sexton] played last year, we would love to have him," Davis said. "[Stahl] was a very valuable member of the football team."

Davis doesn't make any apologies for the players who have been dismissed from the program -- nine since he took over and four this past offseason. A 10th player, sophomore guard Kevin Bryant, missed the first five days of training camp and left the program earlier this month.

"We did dismiss some kids for repeated violations," Davis said. "That's just a byproduct of after two years of being in the program, after two years, you give enough people enough opportunities."

Of the 16 players who left this offseason, four were recruited by Davis, including kicker Jay Wooten. Wooten gave up his scholarship and transferred to South Carolina. He could have stayed at UNC and split the kicking duties with Casey Barth but wanted a larger role.

"The easy decision would have been to stay at North Carolina," Wooten said. "I can't speak for everyone, but I know I left because I feel like I'm capable of doing more."

explain what he can control here?

 

It's not a bad thing saying your team is young for a year or two, but after three years its time to find a new saying. Butch is cutting the guys with experience to make sure he can keep the title of youngest team in the ACC.

 

see above and explain

 

Do you honestly think he would say "We cut players all the time because I over-recruited and I have to cut juniors that have been on the bench for 3 years." He is cutting players if they get a cold and if your a junior this year and don't play then you should hang it up, because Butchy will replace you.

 

he didn't over recruit, he knew a few wouldn't qualify; pretty smart planning if you ask me. Send them to Hargrave, get them ready and get them in.

Not sure if you noticed in the article UNC is up there with Duke and NC State, I forgot which team you pull for, but UNC isn't the only school with those issues.

 

I pull for CPCC.

 

finally, someone else that pulls for their alma mater!

 

Go Tigers, or is it Cougars, wait maybe the Lions.

 

The few, the proud.