UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky still working, competing

During the summer of 2014, quarterback Mitch Trubisky found himself at the center of the biggest storyline for the North Carolina football team.

Trubisky, then a redshirt freshman, was in a battle for the starting quarterback job with current senior Marquise Williams.

Williams won the competition, but Coach Larry Fedora employed a two-quarterback system to give Trubisky plays during the season.

Trubisky appeared in 10 games in 2014, throwing for 459 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. This offseason, Fedora has killed the two-quarterback system, leaving Williams as the unquestioned starter and Trubisky as the backup.

For some, that would be it. Players only get four years, and every season, quarterbacks transfer after losing competitions in order to maximize their eligibility.

But Trubisky stayed. He’s a competitor; he wants to compete.

“A lot of guys couldn’t do that and wouldn’t do that,” said sophomore receiver Austin Proehl.

“I give him a lot of credit for not accepting it, because I think he works every day to be the starter.”

Because of an injury Williams suffered near the end of the 2014 season, Trubisky took all of the reps with the starters during spring practices. He took that opportunity to work on everything about his game: footwork, accuracy, size, strength and speed. But he focused on one thing in particular.

“Being more verbal,” Trubisky said. “Letting the linemen and receivers and running backs know that when I’m out there, I’m running the show.”

Trubisky’s growth as a leader is apparent by the relationship he has with his teammates. He and Williams, despite competing against each other, maintain a good relationship.

Williams and other teammates hovered around him after practice on Tuesday, trying to get him to crack up during an interview. Sophomore running back Elijah Hood succeeded, telling reporters that the No. 10 Trubisky wears stands for his 10-inch biceps.

Receiver Bug Howard, a member of the Tar Heels’ 2013 recruiting class with Trubisky, said he chose UNC because of the quarterback.

“When I heard Mr. Ohio was coming to North Carolina, I had to jump on that ASAP,” Howard said. “Mitch was like my brother when he first stepped on campus.”

Although he’s been branded as a backup quarterback now, Trubisky has not changed his approach. He still works as if he’s the starter, preparing for any scenario where the coaches need him to step on the field.

“Each and every day, Mitch is the type of guy that comes out and is ready to work,” Proehl said.

“He’s always focused; he’s always ready to go. He’s always got a purpose.”

@loganulrich

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