CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Though a new regime is in place, a collection of newly departed Tar Heels returned to the Bill Koman Practice Complex one more time for a morning workout.
North Carolina had 17 players at its Pro Day on Monday. Of UNC's representatives, six of them were invited to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis — Omarion Hampton, Kaimon Rucker, Bryson Nesbit, Jahvaree Ritzie, Power Echols and Alijah Huzzie. UNC's other participants on Monday were Willie Lampkin, Darwin Barlow, John Copenhaver, Des Evans, Nate McCollum, Kevin Hester, Jacolbe Cowan, Joshua Harris, Jakeen Harris, JJ Jones and Stick Lane.
Some players went out of state to prepare for Pro Day, spending their offseason training anywhere from California and Arizona to Georgia and Florida.
The crowd greatly differed from last year's Pro Day, which featured Drake Maye, Cedric Gray and Tez Walker. Still, 31 of the 32 NFL teams were in attendance.
Here were some observations from Jeremiah Holloway, Evan Rogers and Tommy Ashley at North Carolina's Pro Day.
**Standout Notes From Individual Performances**
Ritzie's athleticism and physical conditioning stood out on Monday. He finished with a 36-inch vertical jump, ranking near the top of any of UNC's participants. His agility was there as well. Ritzie's athletic versatility popped to those in attendance, and he potentially raised his case as an NFL draft pick.
Rucker cracked his fibula at the end of the regular season, and he spent the first month of the offseason healing from the injury. He did take part in positional drills toward the end, and he said that he feels "really good" physically.
Nesbit didn't have the best showing on Monday, particularly underperforming with his vertical and long jumps. When it came to the skill drills, though, he looked closer to his usual self. Nesbit missed the final six games of the season with a wrist injury. He said he worked on getting strength back in his wrist before he left for Florida to train.
Hampton only took part in drills and stood by his combine numbers. He caught the ball well in the receiving drills along with the wide receivers and tight ends, and he ran through the running backs drills with a purpose. Hampton physically looked like an NFL running back on Monday with his size. Darwin Barlow looked healthy as he ran through the running back drills as well. Barlow carried the ball just nine times at North Carolina and only played in five games.
Huzzie didn't take part in any of the activities as he had ACL surgery three weeks ago. He sustained the injury after participating in the Shrine Bowl.
Lampkin said that some NFL teams have spoken to him about the idea of playing fullback. He said he had conversations about the guard and center positions also, but fullback was mentioned to him as something to try for the next level. He remembered the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos as teams who talked to him about fullback.
JJ Jones, Nate McCollum and John Copenhaver also looked good individually among the offensive players, and Stick Lane and Jakeen Harris had positive moments on defense.
**Bryce Baker Answers Call**
Freshman quarterback Bryce Baker was a late addition as the Pro Day quarterback. The original plan was for Jacolby Criswell to throw, but UNC's participants were notified Sunday night that he would not be able to take part in Pro Day. Players were impressed with Baker's performance during the throwing period, noting that he looked sharp with his ability to spin the ball.
Baker, listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, was the No. 3 player in the state of North Carolina coming out of Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth High in the class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was also the No. 8-ranked quarterback in the nation. He was originally recruited by Mack Brown before solidifying his commitment under Bill Belichick.
**Familiar Faces In The Building**
None of the positional coaches from Belichick's staff, nor Belichick himself, were present for Pro Day. Brian Simmons, AJ Blue and Brian Hess were at the event.
Dre Bly, recently hired by the New York Jets as a defensive backs coach, was there instructing drills with the DBs. His son, Jordan, participated in Pro Day as well. The younger Bly played wide receiver at Gardner-Webb, and he recorded 32 catches for 333 yards and three touchdowns this season — all career highs. He recorded a higher vertical jump than any of the Tar Heels and he bolted in his 40-yard dash, though those times weren't officially kept.
Players from UNC's current roster spotted at the event, other than Baker, included Amare Campbell, Will Hardy, Kaleb Cost and Jordan Shipp.