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UNC's Draughn lightning at RB
Submitted by rpickeral on 08/18/2008 - 12:21
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Butch Davis has emphasized the need to find strong tailbacks to back up starter Greg Little this season.
Sophomore Shaun Draughn continues to differentiate himself in practice.
The former safety has not been made available to talk to the media, but his teammates have lavished praise on his speed and moves during practice.
"Shaun is a great back,'' Little said Saturday. "He's able to make people miss in the open field; we both are able to do that. You can kind of think of us as 'Salt and Pepper,' 'Thunder and Lightning.'
"With me being the starter, Coach is always talking about trust. When Shaun comes in, I can trust that he's going to be able to play at the same level that I am, and that's going to take our team to great places. We're just going to try to be the best running back combo in the nation."
So who is 'Thunder' and who is 'Lightning?'
"I'm Thunder,'' Little said, grinning.
Draughn, who played quarterback, defensive back, linebacker and tailback at Tarboro High, has made a quick transition back to tailback after playing safety last season, when he mostly played on special teams.
Davis said the 6-feet, 205-pounder asked for the chance to switch to tailback. It sounds as if he's been running up the depth chart ever since — possibly giving the Tar Heels the depth in the backfield they need.
"His passion is to be a running back, and he's done a very, very good job,'' Davis said. "He's learned the offense. For the most part, we feel comfortable that he can go in and execute the runs, the passes, and he's excited."
Robbi Pickeral
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at robbi.pickeral@newsobserver.com.
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Comments
What a crybaby
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 09:34 — Tar Heel Bred (not verified)izzykareem is just mad because HE wanted to be "Thunder". Really, what's so arrogant about what Greg Little had to say? He said he can make people miss in the open field, which he proved in several games last year. That's a statement of fact, even if it is boastful one. Quit whining so much...it's not very flattering.
Nice fact-checking, by the way. UNC was 7th in the ACC in total defense last year, so your jab about people missing was off the mark. And actually, Greg Little started at running back against both Georgia Tech and Dook, neither of which was the worst team in the league against the run. That honor went to NC State.
wow, humbleness abounds
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 23:29 — izzykareemNow i know why Greg Little went to UNC-CH - because he's so humble.
And i don't know if i'd call it a great thing that you make the UNC defense "miss": isn't that what they did all last year? Lastly, someone please remind GLittle that his great rushing stats came against the worst team in the conference at the end of the year.
when you get your shot, shoot for the stars
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 21:00 — UNCAlumnus (not verified)That's what you've just got to do. Keep up the work ethic, Heels. I, for one, am looking for some happy times at BKS this season. Bring on Aug. 30. Go Heels!!