CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here we go; this will be our final check-in for the Westin Hotel in Charlotte. This is our second installment of the Day 2 diary from ACC Kickoff. Up next: Larry Fedora and MJ Stewart of North Carolina and the effervescent Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech.
Let’s finish strong.
Larry Fedora, UNC
- North Carolina lost a lot of talent and experience at the wide receiver position, but according to the coach, several players are ready for expanded roles. Says Juval Mollette and Brandon Fritts are prepped to contribute more on the perimeter
- Fedora is excited to see more from Myles Dorn, too: “Myles should really have a huge year for us. He’s a guy that learned the position last year, came in, he’s a long, 6’2½”, 215-pound safety that will hit you and that can roam the field really well. So he had a great spring, and we really look for him to take off this year.”
MJ Stewart, UNC
- We wrote earlier this week about MJ Stewart, who is in attendance in Charlotte, too.
- Despite a change at defensive coordinator, Stewart says this year’s defense at UNC will largely be the same as years past — “It’s a players game.”
- Stewart mentioned Austin Proehl and Thomas Jackson as two players emerging as leaders for the Tar Heels.
- Transfer quarterback Brandon Harris — previously at LSU — is “very dynamic” and has a strong arm, per Stewart.
- Myles Dorn is more than a talented player; Stewart dons him as the best dressed player on UNC’s roster. “He’s a swaggy dude,” says Stewart.
- Stewart loves to cook, apparently. He jokingly claims his favorite restaurant is “MJ’s House.”
- When asked if he likes to do yoga, Stewart says he looks forward to doing it every Wednesday. According to Stewart that exercise is critical for taking care of your body, especially if you play football.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
- Matthew Jordan is slotted to start at quarterback for Georgia Tech this season; Jordan has plenty of reps under his belt, but he will still be a first-year starter. That said, Johnson says Jordan will be at advantage because of all of the returning experience around him — backs, line and receivers.
- “No question” the ACC is more challenging than when Paul Johnson arrived, according to Paul Johnson.
- Johnson is closing in on 200 career wins, which is a significant milestone, but he claims to haven’t thought about it. (Color this report not shocked)
- The head coach speaks very highly of his senior defensive tackle KeShun Freeman — one of Tech’s representatives at the ACC Kickoff. Johnson says he’s a great ambassador for the schools