Coach Larry Fedora is set to begin his first preseason camp in Chapel Hill. The team got a lot of work done in spring practice, but Fedora readily acknowledges that the Tar Heels have a long way to go. Here is an overview of North Carolina as it begins preseason practice:

It all starts: North Carolina begins practice on Friday, Aug. 3 and will host “Meet the Heels Day” on Aug. 4.

Three questions to answer in camp:

  1. How will the players adapt to the new schemes? Most of the focus is on the offense adapting to Fedora’s up-tempo system, but the Tar Heels are also going through a defensive transition. North Carolina is running a 4-2-5 scheme that features two hybrid positions, the “bandit” and the “ram.” Senior Gene Robinson begins the preseason atop the depth chart at the ram position, a mix between a LB and a DB. Senior Dion Guy will play bandit, which requires playing down on the line and up as a LB.
  2. Can QB Bryn Renner take the next step? Renner led the ACC in passing efficiency (159.4) and completion percentage (68.3) last season. How North Carolina adjusts to Fedora’s new system will depend on how Renner picks it up. He got off to a good start in the spring, completing 23-of-28 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game. The Tar Heels lose leading WR Dwight Jones, and Renner will have to up his game.
  3. Will the Tar Heels be able to build some depth? Coach Larry Fedora wants to build depth across the board, but the two position groups that jump out are DL and WR. The four back-up defensive linemen on the preseason depth chart combined for 20 tackles in 2011. At WR, there is Erik Highsmith and Jheranie Boyd and then a lot of question marks. With the up-tempo offense, more guys will have to step up.

Player who needs to step up: Erik Highsmith played well last year as the team’s No. 2 WR behind Dwight Jones. Highsmith had multiple catches in each of the 12 games in which he played and had a career-high 726 receiving yards. In his final year, Highsmith needs to become Renner’s go-to receiver.

Potential breakout player: DE Kareem Martin had four sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2011. He also broke up six passes. At 6-6, 260 pounds, Martin has the size and athleticism to be All-ACC. With the departure of Quinton Coples, Martin will help DT Sylvester Williams anchor the defensive line.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.