CHAPEL HILL — There were no jersey numbers or logos as UNC football went through its final spring practice on Saturday evening in its debut year under head coach Bill Belichick.
Marketed as the Tar Heels’ “Practice Like A Pro” day, UNC went through a two-hour practice session that featured 11 periods inside of a mostly-empty Kenan Stadium.
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Offensive players were wearing Carolina blue jerseys, defensive players were wearing white jerseys and quarterbacks were wearing red jerseys. No player had a number.
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In-stadium emcee Rick Steinbacher, UNC’s senior associate athletic director, provided commentary between periods about the action. UNC’s roster features 32 newcomers, including 18 additions from the transfer portal and 14 freshmen.
Following practice, players made their way around the lower bowl wall for a brief autograph session. After chatting with recruits at the completion of practice, Belichick – who was wearing a navy puffer jacket – walked off the natural grass field with UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham without signing autographs.
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College football programs are allowed 15 on-field practice sessions over a 34-day period. Teams have traditionally ended the practice period with spring games, but many programs have opted out of that format.
Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Texas and LSU are among the notable schools not hosting traditional spring games. Duke is hosting its spring game April 19, but N.C. State didn’t host an open practice or spring game.
Here are some observations from UNC football’s open practice in front of fans at Kenan Stadium.
UNC quarterback Bryce Baker had play of the day for Tar Heels
Freshman quarterback Bryce Baker split reps with Purdue transfer Ryan Browne as the only quarterbacks who participated in the live portions of the two-hour practice. Baker, who struggled at times with his timing in the pocket as defenders closed in around him, was whistled for sacks on several plays. But Baker also led several scoring drives, making some nice reads to his tight ends on checkdowns and throws up the seam for big plays.
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Baker had the play of the practice with a drop-in-the-bucket throw to a tight end on a fade route, which ended with a catch before the tight end ran through the back-right pylon. During the red-zone showdown, a 15-minute period to close practice, Baker had a touchdown pass to a tight end up the seam that helped the offense earn a 20-15 win against the defense.
Purdue transfer Ryan Browne was ‘starting’ quarterback for UNC football
Browne went first in most drills as UNC’s leader at quarterback, including the offense vs. defense portions of practice. Browne started the third period with a flea-flicker completion down the sideline before throwing a pass in the flats to a tight end, who scampered into the end zone for a touchdown on the opening drive. Unlike Baker, Browne had an interception in the practice, but Browne looked calmer in the pocket for the majority of the evening.
Beau Atkinson was top defender for Tar Heels
One of UNC’s few returners along the defensive line, Beau Atkinson was noticeable with his activity as an edge rusher in Saturday’s practice. Atkinson made some big-time plays, getting to quarterbacks for several sacks and stripping a running back for a forced fumble. Atkinson, who had 7 ½ sacks as a sophomore, has the potential to be an All-ACC defender this season.
Max Johnson continues recovery from leg injury
Max Johnson, UNC’s starting quarterback in the Tar Heels’ 2024 season opener at Minnesota before breaking his right leg in the second half, participated in some throwing drills at the beginning of Saturday’s practice. Johnson, who was wearing a navy sleeve on his right leg, didn’t go through the live periods of practice with the team.
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Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football spring practice observations under Bill Belichick
