Tate misses Friday's practice

•  Donavan Tate was not at practice on Friday but he is expected to be on campus on Saturday.

Tate, the third overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, has until Aug. 17 to negotiate a deal with the San Diego Padres. He can practice with UNC without affecting his immediate two-sport future.

"We're hopeful it works out," UNC coach Butch Davis said. "[But] I have no idea."

Davis said Tate will play quarterback, joining fellow freshmen Bryn Renner and A.J. Blue and redshirt freshman Braden Hanson in the mix for third-string behind starter T.J. Yates and backup Mike Paulus.

Tate, an outfielder in baseball, also played safety in high school. Blue, who is listed as an "athlete" on the roster, also plays running back. He was taking reps with the quarterbacks in the portion of practice which was open to the media on Friday.

•  This could be the last August camp for a group of juniors — defensive tackle Marvin Austin, linebacker Bruce Carter and linebacker Quan Sturdivant, who if all goes well, could be in the NFL next season. Carter said he's thought about the possibility but it's not high on his radar.

"I'm not trying to make a decision today," Carter said.

•  Don't be alarmed by the wrap on safety Deunta Williams' left wrist. The junior had surgery after spring practice and will wear what looks like a soft cast for the first part of camp as a precaution.

•  UNC's No. 20 ranking in the USA Today Top 25 is the first time the Heels have been ranked in the preseason since 1998, Carl Torbush's first year.

That UNC team, which opened at No. 12 in the AP poll, started 0-1 with a home loss to Miami (Ohio). The program wasn't ranked in the top 25 again until Nov. 2001.

With The Citadel as this year's opener, on Sept. 5, there's little chance of history repeating.

-- J.P. Giglio