UNC football's tight end Brandon Fritts seizes his opportunity

Entering the 2015 season, North Carolina tight end Brandon Fritts had a New Year’s resolution — to make a name for himself in college.

And after grabbing two touchdown catches in less than six minutes against North Carolina A&T on Saturday, he is closer to reaching his goal.

“It’s a start,” Fritts said. “Just getting more reps this game. I’m trying to help the team any way I can, whether it’s catching balls or blocking.”

Fritts said he did not expect his number to be called often versus the Aggies. Both of his touchdown catches were in goal-line situations, fewer than five yards from the end zone.

The redshirt freshman models his game after Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten — who is often a popular target in goal-to-go scenarios.

“I just love the way he plays,” Fritts said. “(Witten) does a lot of things right — he’s a great blocker, he runs great routes, but he really doesn’t have great speed, which I don’t think I have either. That’s how I relate him to my game.”

If Fritts is Witten, then redshirt sophomore quarterback Mitch Trubisky is Tony Romo. Fritts and Trubisky played football and basketball together at Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio.

In Fritts’ junior season, he and Trubisky connected on 59 passes for 1,187 yards and 17 touchdowns. Against the Aggies, Fritts’ first career touchdown reception was from Trubisky.

“He’s always going to do his job...,” said Trubisky, commenting on his old high school teammate. “When the ball is up in the air, he uses his body well and he’s got great hand-eye coordination.

“He goes up and comes down with the ball, no matter where you throw it.”

Tight ends coach Seth Littrell said the expectation for each player is to improve each week.

Littrell said there are areas where Fritts needs improvement, but he added that the young tight end continues to show promise.

“(Fritts) is an extremely hard worker,” Littrell said. “He’s been very diligent and putting in the extra time to try to be better at his craft. It was good to see him have some success.”

While watching from the sidelines as a redshirt, Fritts learned he needed to adjust to the physicality and speed at the collegiate level.

Concerning playing time, Fritts does not believe the tight end position belongs to any specific player, noting that he is the preferred blocker and senior Kendrick Singleton is the better route-runner.

But when Fritts does touch the gridiron, the other 10 players know he will maximize the opportunity.

“Whenever I get in there, I’m going to go 100 percent,” Fritts said. “I’m going to try to just make some plays.”

@BenColey15

sports@dailytarheel.com