UNC's Austin, Little practice with 2nd team

CHAPEL HILL -- Marvin Austin and Greg Little, a pair of NFL prospects with 48 college career starts between them, opened North Carolina's practice today with the second string.

UNC coach Butch Davis said there's no hidden meaning to that decision.

"We rotate a lot of guys throughout a lot of different situations," Davis said.

Austin and Little both have been interviewed by the NCAA during its investigation into the UNC football program. UNC did not make Austin or Little available for comment after practice this afternoon.

The NCAA, which was back on campus on Wednesday, made an initial visit on July 12 and July 13 to interview an undisclosed number of football players. UNC is waiting for a decision from the NCAA and is hopeful to hear before the season opens on Sept. 4.

"At some point in time during training camp we'll have to make a decision based on what we find out," Davis said. "Right now we're just practicing football."

Practice opened this afternoon with the usual vim and vigor of any first day. Players jumped around during stretching drills, and the coaches pumped up the new group of charges.

Davis admonished the team for their lack of intensity during the team stretch.

"Clapping is not optional," Davis admonished his fourth team on the first official day of the 2010 season.

The first 45 minutes, mostly stretching and special teams, were open to the media. The players did break down into position groups, which is when Austin and Little were working with the second string.

Senior safety Deunta Williams said Austin worked with the first team in the portion of practice closed to the media.

Senior quarterback T.J. Yates said Little also worked with first team later in practice.

Davis said both Austin and Little looked "good" without providing any further detail.

-- J.P. Giglio