Heels' linebacker a class act

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Juniors weigh NFL option

Marvin Austin knows what he would have done last spring with the "Should I stay or should I go?" dilemma facing Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft.

"That was a no-brainer; even my little sister could have told you that," Austin said.

The decision that Austin will soon be facing is not as clear cut, however. A tackle, Austin is one of several standout juniors on the North Carolina defense who could be playing in their final ACC game Saturday at N.C. State.

Heels rumble by Georgia Southern

CHAPEL HILL The emphasis on defense in practice this week was pointed: “Take it away, take it away, take it away,’’ North Carolina linebacker Quan Sturdivant said.

And by doing that Saturday six times during a 42-12 blowout victory against Georgia Southern UNC’s ‘D’ ultimately gave back. Not just to the victory column (4-2), but to the Tar Heels’ confidence.

“It was critical for us to get a win,’’ said wide receiver Greg Little. “We talked about defense creating turnovers, and the offense pushing big plays and to come out and do that was tremendous especially going into a bye week.”

ACC spring: Freshmen, coordinators emerge

With Duke and N.C. State set to hold their spring games at 1 p.m. Saturday, spring football practice in the Triangle is about to conclude.

Throughout the ACC, this spring has featured:

- Schedule juggling (N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson playing football and baseball).

UNC juniors sticking around one more football season

UNC football coach Butch Davis announced this morning that six junior players, including five of his defensive starters, will return for their senior seasons.

It had been widely speculated that UNC's defense, which held opponents to an ACC-low 267.8 yards a game this season, would be hit hard by early departures for this spring's NFL draft. However, defensive tackle Marvin Austin, defensive backs Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams, linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter all have decided to return to UNC for the 2010 season, along with Tar Heels wide receiver Greg Little.

"Throughout the year, and also following the bowl game, we sat down with the juniors who were considering entering the NFL Draft and educated them on the selection process and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of leaving early," Davis said in a statement released today by UNC. "After talking with NFL personnel around the country, I thought it was in the best interest of all six players to return for their senior seasons.

UNC defense gets lift

North Carolina should have the best defense in ACC football for the 2010 season.

That much was settled Monday when five key juniors - tackle Marvin Austin, backs Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams and linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter - announced their intentions to bypass the NFL draft.

Add in sophomore end Robert Quinn, who rates as first-round draft material in 2011, and it's for certain UNC will have the talent to clear the eight-win barrier, contend for the ACC Coastal Division title and have an even chance to win its opener against LSU in Atlanta.