Elijah Hood, TJ Logan vie for starting role for UNC football

From going to the movies, playing video games and sleeping on air mattresses during training camp, the North Carolina running backs are always looking to have fun.

But when it comes to talking about their results from a season ago, when they finished 81st in the nation in rushing yards, the running backs become a lot more serious.

The trio of T.J. Logan, Elijah Hood and Romar Morris ran the ball 251 times for just 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014. Meanwhile, quarterback Marquise Williams led the team with 788 yards on the ground and 13 scores on a team-high 193 carries.

“Personally, as a running back, I would hate that,” said Hood in regards to a quarterback leading the team in rushing again.

The amount of carries Williams had in 2014 took their toll, as the quarterback underwent surgery this past offseason to repair a partially torn labrum in his left hip. And in order to keep Williams healthy in 2015, the running backs know they carry a larger burden.

“We’re going to need (Williams) bad during the season,” said Logan, a junior. “We need to keep him safe in the pocket the best we can.”

Although Logan led the running back trio in carries in 2014, it is Hood — the former four star recruit who had offers from Clemson and Ohio State among several others — who has stood out this preseason and is competing for the starting title.

“I think there’s a lot of competition,” said co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer. “You have a bevy of backs, so whoever wins that position will obviously get more carries.”

Coach Larry Fedora said there is a notable size, strength and running style difference between Logan and Hood.

“It’s nice to have that punch and that change-up,” Fedora said. “Not all of the backs are exactly the same.”

Fedora emphasized his goal to get to 200 yards a game on the ground, which is something the offensive unit is on board with. Last year, they averaged just over 150 yards a game.

“I want to be part of that 200 yards — it’s a mentality,” said Hood, a sophomore. “I just want enough carries to win the football game — whatever that may be.”

When it comes to splitting carries, nobody knows for sure what the Tar Heels will run out on Sept. 3 against South Carolina — not even Fedora.

“You could see anything,” Fedora said. “We’ve got all kinds of things working right now.”

A sense of urgency is filling the locker room when it comes to achieving the goals set by the coaching staff.

And although the group is still determined to enjoy their time together, they know it’s running short.

“I’ve been here a year now,” Hood said, “You’ve only got so many years in the program.”

@davidrallenjr

sports@dailytarheel.com