By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Between Cole Holcomb, Dominique Ross and Jonathan Smith, North Carolina boasted plenty of experience at linebacker last season.
But with Holcomb's departure to the NFL and Smith unable to participate in team activities this spring, Tommy Thigpen looked around the inside linebacker room at the start of spring practice and noticed a distinct difference.
"To me, it was like you've got a lot of guys who are playing first-time positions …" said Thigpen, who coached UNC's safeties last season. "(We) had a lot of guys with a whole lot of athleticism, but just not much playing experience.