Young tackles boast pro potential

Fans need not be surprised if a couple offensive linemen look a little nervous to get into their stance to match up across from UNC's vaunted defensive tackles.

At least that's how Cam Thomas wants it.

"When we put our hand on the ground it's going to be an earthquake. They're going to know we're ready," the junior defensive lineman said.

"We want blood. We want food. We hungry. We're going for that ball. Just know that when we put our hand down, they better be scared. There's some damage coming from it."

Sophomore Marvin Austin put it more bluntly.

"'Oh s---!' - That's what better be going through their head."

Thomas and Austin only compose half of this wrecking crew. Junior Aleric Mullins and redshirt freshman Tydreke Powell complete what UNC hopes to be a fearsome four-man rotation. All four figure to have the potential to take a crack at the NFL.

UNC coach Butch Davis said the confidence to be able to rotate any these four in the game at any time will be crucial for the Tar Heels' success this season.

The depth at this position and at defensive end will help keep the defensive front fresh deep into the fourth quarter, which could spell trouble for opposing offenses.

"We won't really care which four are in the game at the same time," he said. "They're all four good players, and they're all slightly different."

Davis said the strength of the each player's games complement one another: Thomas' power, Austin's and Powell's speed and Mullins' ability to shed blocks should give defensive coordinators fits.

The impact of quality defensive tackles usually doesn't jump out during a football game because most of the work they do is overshadowed by the linebackers and defensive backs who finish off the play.

But just because one of these players does not make a highlight reel takedown doesn't mean they are not doing their job. Most of the time, they set up the defense's play by occupying multiple blockers.

"We sacrifice ourselves a lot, getting double-teamed and stuff like that," Austin said. "We just go in there and play hard and try to make plays and try to keep the guys off the linebackers so they can go in there and make plays too."

Austin said he doesn't mind getting overshadowed as long as the team wins football games. He continued to say that he and the other tackles are not driven by individual statistics but only the desire to continue to get better.

While preseason talk of this group is encouraging, defensive line coach John Blake said the young unit still needs to work on the basics and gain more game experience before they can maximize their impact in games.

The loss of the leadership of last year's draft picks Kentwan Balmer and Hilee Taylor will cause some growing pains.

And when asked about what parts of their games need improving in order for each of them to take the next step, Blake said with a laugh, "All of it - every part of their game."

But Blake said that with a strong level of focus, this is a group that can make up the gap quickly.

"I believe there's a lot of NFL potential, but it takes more than just potential. So if those guys continue to grow and develop on an individual basis, as far as taking care of their business, they should have an opportunity."