THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504280634
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
Mike Thomas gave North Carolina coaches a strong indication in spring football practices that he intends to make the most of finally being the starting quarterback this fall.
Thomas, a highly regarded recruit four years ago, received a medical redshirt in 1991 after injuring his right thumb in the second game of the season against William and Mary. He played behind Jason Stanicek most of the last three seasons until starting the final three games last year.
With Stanicek graduating, Thomas is the only experienced quarterback returning for the Tar Heels. But his spring performance indicated he may be the only one North Carolina needs, as long as he stays healthy.
``He really was sharp and had a lot of confidence,'' coach Mack Brown said.
Brown was disappointed, however, that he did not come out of the spring drills with a solid No. 2 quarterback.
The leading candidates were Tucker Perry, a senior walk-on from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Oscar Davenport, a redshirt freshman from St. Petersburg, Fla.
``Tucker has been in our program for three years and knows our offense,'' Brown said. ``Oscar is a raw talent who needs a lot of work, but he can be a very good player.''
Chuckie Parquet, a redshirt freshman from Marrero, La., who was recruited as a quarterback, was moved to cornerback at his request.
In another shift, senior defensive end Marcus Jones, the team sack leader last season, moved inside to tackle, where he played his first two years.
``Marcus was getting doubled and triple-teamed too much outside,'' Brown said. ``We hope to get him in more one-on-one situations with blockers. If opponents still try to double-team him, that's going to free some of our other people up. I think he is the best defensive lineman in the country, and he worked hard in the spring to get better.''
North Carolina's biggest rebuilding job is on defense, which is missing seven starters from last year's 8-4 Sun Bowl team.
DeSUE TO DEFENSE: Clemson junior Tony DeSue, a two-time All-Tidewater running back at Kempsville High School, jumped from offense to outside linebacker after two weeks of spring practice and made a good impression with five tackles and a sack in two scrimmages.
DeSue played very little as a running back in his first two seasons at Clemson.
With sophomore Nealon Green apparently the answer to Clemson's quarterback problems, last year's starter, senior Patrick Sapp, also has switched to outside linebacker. He worked on the first team at that position all spring.
Green was the star of the Tigers' spring drills, throwing for 207 yards and three touchdowns in the Orange-White game. It was the first time in 12 years a Clemson quarterback had thrown for three scores in the spring game.
BOWDEN SMILING: Florida State coach Bobby Bowden came out of spring practice smiling about what he thinks could be his best group of receivers.
He also was pleased with the improvement shown by reserve quarterback Thad Busby, who provides solid depth behind returning starter Danny Kanell.
The receivers that Bowden is so high on are E.G. Green, Andre Cooper, and Wayne Messam.
Green, a rising sophomore, already is being compared to departing wide receiver Kez McCorvey, who ranked behind only Ron Sellers in career stats. Green had 10 catches for 146 yards and one touchdown in the spring game.
The biggest surprise, both literally and figuratively, was the play of 257-pound Greg Spires at defensive end. His previous experience was at nose guard and linebacker.
``Nobody seemed able to block him,'' Bowden said following one scrimmage.
The 'Noles major reloading effort was in the defensive secondary, where Hampton's Sean Hamlet returns.
LUGINBILL LEAVING: Georgia Tech coach George O'Leary, having a tough time picking a No. 1 quarterback, had the decision made for him when Tommy Luginbill announced he would be transferring for the second time in three years.
Luginbill last year beat out starter Donnie Davis after transferring in from Palomar Junior College. He played behind Davis most of spring practice that ended Tuesday, but still was in contention for the starting job.
He said leaving has nothing to do with the competition with Davis.
``I feel it's time for Georgia Tech and me to go separate ways. I just need to do what I need to do,'' he said.
Luginbill said he probably would transfer either to Eastern Kentucky or Portland State.
TALKING HOOPS: Melvin Whitaker, a 6-foot-10 center from Oak Hill Academy, may be ready to name his college choice after a visit this weekend to UNC.
He visited North Carolina State and Virginia last week.
Some observers see North Carolina's increased interest in Whitaker as a sign that sophomore Rasheed Wallace will decide to enter the NBA draft..
It also could mean the Tar Heels do not think they will get Kevin Garnett of Chicago, who most recruiting experts rate as the No. 1 center coming out of high school. Garnett has indicated he might try to go from high school directly to the pros.
North Carolina State has signed 6-foot-7 forward Tyrone Outlaw, who was rated by some as the No. 2 player in North Carolina last year, and 6-foot-6 Danny Strong of Spartanburg Junior College.
Maryland has signed a potential replacement for center Joe Smith, who says he's going pro. He is 6-foot-10 Lari Ketner from Philadelphia.
LACROSSE: The Virginia men's lacrosse team, which had a disappointing loss to Duke in the ACC tournament, ends the regular season Saturday against Maryland-Baltimore County.
The Cavaliers (10-2) expect to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament when the field is announced on May 7. The first round of the tournament will begin on May 13. by CNB