Amari Gainer discusses connection with Gene Chizik during spring practice

New North Carolina linebacker Amari Gainer is liking the new role he’s taken on since coming from Florida State via the transfer portal. And the connection he’s forged with defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

Gainer is moving to the JACK position in the North Carolina defense since transferring in. It’s taken some getting used to, but overall, Gainer is loving how he’s fitting in to the defense and team.

“I’ve been able to play linebacker at a high level so being able to be here and have a new responsibility and a bit of a new role, it might be a little bit of a crash course for me. But just being able to be out here and play physical and play my game, it’s just been great. And being able to lead, also. It’s been a great time being out here and a great spring so far,” Gainer said.

Helping Gainer along is Chizik, who is helping the linebacker along with mastering the finer details and nuances of the position and playing defense, as a whole.

“Just being attentive with all the little details,” Gainer said. “I want to be great. Being around him and being able to fine tune the little details, be able to learn from the guys in front of me is just great. Having that learning curve and be able to have a great mentor like coach Chizik to be able to look up to.”

Along with Gainer, UNC added four transfer defensive backs this offseason and also brings back two starters in DeAndre Boykins and Giovanni Biggers. With spring practice getting ready to wrap up in less than two weeks, Chizik likes what he’s seen from both the new and returning players.

“I think we’re making progress,” he said. “Every day I think we’re getting better. I think we’re learning a lot. We have a lot of new players back there. So there’s a learning curve. But what I really like is they’re putting themsleves in proximity to make plays. We’re not right now making all the ones that we should, but I’m really, really happy with the growth.”

In spite of ranking last in the ACC in both scoring and total defense last year, the Tar Heels still won the Coastal division thanks to an offense that was top three in the conference. If their defense can make the necessary improvements, it could be a special year in Chapel Hill.

“I see a lot of growth back there,” Chizik said. “A lot of learning. I think we’re ahead of where we were last year simply because there’s some carryover with some guys that have been here. It’s a work in progress every day, but I’m proud of them right now.”