EXTRA POINTS FOUNDED AND PUBLISHED FROM 1990-93 BY THE GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. Vol. XII, No. 15, Feb. 8, 2002, Chapel Hill, NC Tar Heels Catch 22: ‘You Get What You Need.’

CHAPEL HILL evaluate talent. I trust his ability to relate to kids and their parents. I think his love for am a thankful man today, grateful that Carolina and for the game of football will at some point in the late 1990s I lost my come through and work to his advantage.” Iaddiction/obsession for With those components at work, I think the recruiting. It’s allowed sleep to come easily Tar Heels will get their fair share of good the last 10 days. I take pride in fielding the players. question, “How’s Carolina’s recruiting Which is why, despite the last-minute going,” and responding with a glazed look rejections of several prime targets on and the response, “Beats me.” I answered Carolina’s recruiting board this week, I my phone Wednesday and talked to a man believe Bunting when he says the following: who said he’d heard A.J. Davis, the highly “These are good, good football players, regarded cornerback at Northern Durham many of whom will become great players High, had reneged on his verbal commit- here at the University of North Carolina …. ment to Carolina and instead had signed “They will sell-out for this University with N.C. State. As we talked, I logged onto and this program. They will make strong the Internet, confirmed that Davis had contributions for many, many winning indeed become a Wolfpacker. My pulse seasons to come …. remained constant. Only one meager swear “I think the Rolling Stones had the word passed my lips. So we lost a good expression, ‘You can’t always get what you player. It’s not the first. It won’t be the last. want. But you get what you need.’ I think It wasn’t always this way. Back before we did that. Nobody can have the perfect the Internet—during the late-1980s and class. But we have a strong, strong class. early 1990s, when was getting We’ve added a lot of speed, a lot of his program on solid recruiting ground— athleticism. The defensive linemen and the my main source for recruiting news was John Bunting on his signing class: “I offensive linemen we’ve signed are very Jeff’s Campus Confectionery. Most days wanted to look them in the eye, to tell physical, which we were looking for.” during the height of the recruiting cam- they loved the game of football.” Bunting announced a class on Wednes- paign in January and early February, I’d day that included 22 players. There are drop by Jeff’s, where for four hours a day assistant coach and get the skinny. Often I’d three offensive linemen, one or more of you could find Bob Osterneck, the Tar Heel run into Brown and his boss, John Swofford, whom Bunting expects to challenge for fan well known for his money and his having lunch at Ham’s on West Franklin playing time as freshmen. There are 11 girth—both considerable indeed—sitting on Street and catch a good recruiting buzz. players projected on defense, any of whom a bench in the back of the shop with the I soured on the whole deal years later could seize opportunities to play immedi- latest morsels from the football office. when a procession of highly ranked, highly ately given the loss of nine starters from “Jordy, you should see this tailback we touted players came to Chapel Hill with 2001. There is also a kicker with a strong leg had in last weekend!” Osterneck would wheelbarrows full of press clippings and and a terrific window given the departure of chirp to the proprietor, Jordy Mousmoules. supposedly with rejected grant offers from Jeff Reed. “This town’s gonna be rockin’ next fall if we places like Notre Dame and Penn State, There are four wide receivers who could get this kid!” from Georgia and Miami and Texas A&M. play early but will work toward forming a Not only did I need staples like oxygen, Turns out, they couldn’t play their way out foundation at that position when Sam bread and water at the time, but I also of a wet paper bag. If highly skilled, paid Aiken, Bosley Allen and Chesley Borders needed to know what Mike Thomas and professionals on the staff of the Tar Heels are gone in 2003. Bunting and receivers Oscar Sturgis had eaten for breakfast back could make such mistakes, why waste coach Gunter Brewer were working toward during the celebrated recruiting wars in energy now worrying about it when you a deeper haul at receiver, but in the last Rockingham in 1989. I had contacts in won’t know for probably two years whether week three high-percentage scores went Gastonia to tell me about Greg Black and they’re any good anyway? Can they run as astray—one junior-college player failed to Sean Boyd, in Clinton to talk about Fuzzy fast as the tout sheets proclaimed? Will they clear admissions, a New Jersey prospect Lee. I knew a woman in Southern Pines go to class and do their homework? Are opted at the last minute for Purdue, and the who was a friend of a cousin or something they tough enough? Are they good kids football staff lost David Noel of Southern of a kid in Alabama, one Michael Clemmer, once they leave the cocoon of their family? Durham to the lure of playing basketball for who the Tar Heels once invited to town on So today when I get those questions the Tar Heels (and to do so without a scholarship. Halftime at the Dean Dome about the Tar Heels’ recruiting, I usually scholarship). was always a good time to button-hole an answer: “I respect John Bunting’s ability to What this class does not include,

PAGE ONE EXTRA POINTS

2002 TAR HEEL SIGNEES Name, Position, High School, Town, Ht-Wt., 40-yard dash time; other schools considered. Alden Blizzard DE Laurel HS, Laurel, Md. 6-4, 225 4.7 Marshall, Md., WV. No. 18 senior in state by SuperPrep; “Long arms, high motor, should be fine DE for us,” John Bunting says.

Melik Brown LB Wilson HS, Camden, N.J. 6-2, 225 4.6 Tenn., GT, Wisc., Mich. St. All-Area selection in making 57 tackles and 10 sacks; deep-snapper as well; “Great instincts;” product of JB's South Jersey contacts.

Lewis Burnham TE Moorestown HS, Moorestown, N.J. 6-5, 235 4.8 UK, Iowa, Rut. Father Lem teammate of JB’s with Philadelphia Eagles; No. 27 prospect in state; OT, DE in high school.

Mahlon Carey RB South Cobb HS, Mableton, Ga. 6-2, 195 4.5 GT, NW, WV Figures to be early impact player; very bright, excellent grades; Top 50 prospect in state by Atlanta J-C.

Whit Efird OL West Stanley HS, Oakboro 6-5, 305 5.1 ECU Shrine Bowl, N.C. Top 20 by Raleigh N&O; ability to do standing backflip denotes great athleticism; projected as guard or center.

Daunte Fields WR Cardinal Newman HS, Wellington, Fla. 6-1, 160 4.5 Wisc., VT, BC SuperPrep’s No. 41 prospect in-state; great speed, hands, leaping ability; “Upside is great, could play either side of ball.”

Ian Firestone WR Wilson HS, Sinking Spring, Pa. 6-2, 190 4.35 Miami, ND, UVa. Consensus prep A-A; 134 career catches for 1,907 yards; “Extremely competitive, soft hands, could play on special teams right away.”

Michael Gilmore WR Mann HS, Greenville, S.C. 6-1, 170 4.55 VT, Md., WF, GT All-state receiver who caught 20 passes for six TDs; kick-return ability as well; “I see him starting for us before too long.”

Kendall High DE W. Rowan HS, Salisbury 6-6, 250 4.8 SC, MD, WF, ECU JB likes his “great motor” and thinks he could grow into a tackle; will play in E-W All-Star game; 86 tackles, 7.5 sacks as senior.

Cedric Holt DB Anson County HS, Wadesboro 6-1, 180 4.45 WF, ECU Four-year starter, Shrine Bowl, Charlotte Observer Top 25; “He has a good chance to make a contribution right away.”

Derrele Mitchell WR Hargrave M.A./Winston-Salem 6-4, 190 4.5 NCS, Tenn., Clem., UGa., VT 2001 signee who prepped a year at Hargrave Military, where he made honor roll first semester; “Delighted to have him sign again.”

Brian Rackley DE Chiles HS, Tallahassee, Fla. 6-5 230 4.7 Clem., UK, Syr. Perhaps a “sleeper” of the class; “Can’t understand how we got him out of Tallahassee,” JB says; should grow to 270 pounds or so.

Xavier Rainey DE SW DeKalb, Stone Mountain., Ga. 6-5, 230 4.65 Aub., Miss. St., GT Could develop into LB; No. 23 prospect in state; “Over-achiever, a great kid;” 181 tackles, 52 for loss, as senior.

Kyle Ralph OL St. Xavier HS, Cincinnati 6-5, 280 5.1 Vand., UF, Ill., ND Key O-line signee; projects as tackle; good athleticism; “Has a little nasty streak about him, which I like.”

Mickey Rice DL Union HS, Union, S.C. 6-2, 265 5.0 Mich. St. Compares to graduating Tar Heel Ryan Sims; 96 tackles, 18 for loss, as a senior; Shrine Bowl, Observer Top 25.

Tommy Richardson DB N. Miami Beach HS, Miami 6-3, 205 4.55 Aub., Md., Iowa St., Rut. Fiery player who will start at safety but could grow into LB; product of coach Rod Broadway’s Florida connections.

Rashad Tindall DB Laney HS, Wilmington 6-4, 195 4.5 NCS, WF, ECU Fierce hitter; “He’s got a twinkle in his eye and will fly around, strike people and knock them down;” SuperPrep’s No. 30 in N.C.

D.J. Walker RB Brevard HS, Brevard 6-1, 170 4.5 Clem., SC, Duke Good athlete could play either side of ball; SuperPrep’s No. 25 in N.C.; 1,140 yards, 14 TDs as a senior.

Jacoby Watkins DB Scotland Cty HS, Laurinburg 6-1, 190 4.45 SC, Clem., NCS, WF, ECU Shrine Bowl, one of Observer’s Top 25; excellent cover-cornerback; “Good instincts, could help us right away.”

Chris Woods OL Irmo HS, Columbia, S.C. 6-5, 280 5.1 Vand. Coached by former Tar Heel Bob Hanna; all-area, all-region, all-state as senior; outstanding wrestler as well.

David Woolridge PK/P Davie HS, Mocksville 6-3, 185 WF, Duke, NCS, Va. Kicker with powerful leg who routinely blasts kick-offs into or beyond end zone; average 44.5 yards per punt, hit 49-yard field goal.

Victor Worsley LB N. Edgecombe HS, Battleboro 6-2, 220 4.6 BC, Clem., ECU, Duke, WF SuperPrep’s No. 2 LB in state; Shrine Bowl; “A yes-sir, no-sir, run-to-the-ball kind of guy;” looks to have impact this fall.

PAGE TWO EXTRA POINTS however, are any quarterbacks. The ones one of them,” he says. “I wanted to look Durham High on Wednesday noted the Carolina was interested in did not recipro- them in the eye, to tell they loved the game contrast in the celebratory posture of two cate the attraction because of the presence of of football. I felt very good about the kids and their families who were joining the rising sophomore Darian Durant, red-shirt answers I got. That’s what’s exciting about Wake Forest fold juxtaposed with the empty freshman Matt Baker and Florida transfer these guys aside from their speed and their seat for A.J. Davis and the fact that neither C.J. Stephens. character, the fact that they love where his father nor coach knew where he was. Bunting’s first full-calendar recruiting they’re coming to school, they love to do the “I promise you we’ll do a better job of class since taking over from Carl Torbush in right thing, they love to play football.” keeping those kids at home,” Bunting says. December, 2000, includes three players from What perplexed and frustrated Bunting “We have to. When I think about those guys, the southeast Pennsylania/south New about this group, however, is that it did not I wish them well. But I do not understand Jersey areas, which he knows so well from include several more of the top prospects why they would want to leave when they his 13 years of pro football in Philadelphia from the state of North Carolina. At the 11th have a fine institution like the University of and five coaching Division III football in hour on Monday, the Carolina staff learned North Carolina right here in their backyard Glassboro. Look for that area to continue to that Davis was headed to State, that a tight with a football program that is obviously on be a target area for the Tar Heels. There are end from Fayetteville was going to Tennes- the rise. I wish them well, but I think they two from south Florida, an area minted by see and that three blue-chip O-line prospects made a mistake. But that’s what they chose assistant coach Rod Broadway for six years were opting for Ohio State, Tennessee and to do. But still—we’re going to win a lot of while recruiting for the Florida Gators. Auburn. Also churning his gut is knowing football games with this group.” There is one from Hargrave Military of at least three violations by out-of-state The more games Bunting wins, the easier Academy, Derrele Mitchell, who originally rivals in the last days before signing day— that job will become. This year’s high-school signed with the Tar Heels one year ago but transgressions he’ll pursue through chan- seniors spent their formative years of failed to qualify academically. nels, of course, but that doesn’t do any good playing prep ball watching Carolina muddle Running through a tape of highlights of in getting those kids to Chapel Hill now. through the Torbush years, which began the 22 players, Bunting gushes occasionally Davis’s decision drew the most ire in the with controversy in a home loss to Miami of and throws out the words and phrases Carolina camp, with the young man Ohio in 1998 and continued through three “high motor,” “intense,” “good instincts,” committing to Carolina a week ago and years of just-under .500 ball. When you’ve “gamer,” “loves to hit” at random. Brian reiterating up to signing day, along with his got Tennessee calling from the west, FSU Rackley, a defensive end from Tallahassee, high school coach and father, that the from the south and Penn State from the Fla., looks like a young Greg Ellis, Mickey commitment was solid. But early Wednes- north, the room gets stuffy. Good recruiting Rice like a neophyte Ryan Sims. Defensive day morning, however, Davis signed a comes from continuity and stability. backs Tommy Richardson and Rashad grant-in-aid sent to his mother’s house (the Bob Paroli, the long-time coach at Tindall look scary good. Offensive lineman Davis parents are divorced), with State Fayetteville Byrd High, addressed that very Kyle Ralph seems to dominate if not one coach and staff knowing that issue in a piece in Monday’s Fayetteville then two opponents on every snap. the mother and the prospect’s girlfriend Observer: “If Mack Brown would have Bunting places a great emphasis on kids were on their side. If Davis has to secretly stayed at North Carolina and Dick Sheridan loving to play football, playing it because sign a set of papers endorsed by his mother at N.C. State, I don’t think there’d be many they want to, not because it’s expected of without the knowledge and against the kids leaving this state to play football,” them or it’s a ticket to an education or a wishes of his father, well, there are greater Paroli said. “Schools lose their identity potential shot at the riches of the profes- issues here than the game of football. I say when coaches leave or don’t stay around sional game. let this one go. I did very quickly. An long. I think after coach Bunting and coach “That’s a key question I posed to every observer at a signing ceremony at Northern Amato are around a few years, you’ll see

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PAGE THREE EXTRA POINTS this exodus we’re seeing right now stop.” sent home from the Peach Bowl in Carolina’s 2002 Schedule Of course, a likely counter to that would December for having an unauthorized be the perceived success of Virginia coach Al guest in his hotel room after hours, and Aug. 31 Miami (OH) Chapel Hill Groh in his first year in Charlottesville. Groh recently was caught for driving with an Sept. 7 Syracuse Syracuse, NY and his very young staff—six of nine coaches expired license and then compounding the Sept. 14 Texas Chapel Hill are early-30s or younger—signed a class problem by telling the police he was Sept. 21 Open rated around No. 10 nationally by several Dexter Reid. Bunting has suspended him Sept. 28 Georgia Tech Chapel Hill recruiting services. We’ll have to wait and see indefinitely from football. Oct. 5 Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. “Something inside that young man can if it is indeed that good and if that staff knows Oct. 12 N.C. State Chapel Hill how to coach and develop its players once give back an awful lot to the world if he they’re in school. Carolina recruiting junkies can learn to make the right decisions, Oct. 19 Virginia Charlottesville, Va. have focused on that perceived strength of particularly under pressure,” Bunting Oct. 26 Wake Forest Winston-Salem Virginia’s class, but no one seems to be says. “We all make mistakes, and he’s a Nov. 2 Maryland Chapel Hill noticing that the Wahoos, who’ve done a made a couple here the last couple of Nov. 9 Clemson Chapel Hill frustratingly good job of recruiting within months. It’s very, very distressing. Deep Nov. 16 Florida State Tallahassee, Fla. North Carolina the last decade, landed only down, I think he’s a great kid. But we’re one native Tar Heel—that being Tommy going to get him the help he needs.” Davis of Wilmington Laney. I’ll try to And so the cycle continues for John remember in three years to revisit this very Bunting and his staff: Back to recruiting, issue. It could be an interesting discussion. potentially adding another signee or two Meanwhile, John Bunting is not worried and seriously studying juniors; working about the ones he didn’t get—just the ones new offensive line coach Hal Hunter into who are becoming Tar Heels. Not to mention the system (he replaces Robbie Caldwell, those who already are in the program who who’s moved to Vanderbilt); and prepar- EXTRA POINTS need some extra attention these days. ing for spring practice to start March 20th. The only publication devoted As in Bosley Allen. Meanwhile, I’ll work to retain my exclusively to Tar Heel football. Allen, a rising senior receiver from freedom from recuitaholism. Talk to me Bradenton, Fla., is a success story given his about Carl Smalls’ prospects at defensive overcoming a difficult home life to even get to tackle, if you’d like, or what C.J. Stephens’ Lee Pace, Carolina ’79 college in the first place and then to recover throwing motion looks like. But some Editor & Publisher from a devastating knee injury in 1998. But prospect from Charlotte Independence High? I haven’t a clue and don’t want one. he’s shown a propensity to get into skir- Extra Points will be published 16 times mishes with rules and regulations—he was — LEE PACE during the 2001-02 subscription cycle— once following all Carolina games as well as at the beginning of the season, Hal Hunter Joins Tar Heel Staff As Offensive Line Coach. the end of the season and at the conclusion of recruiting and spring Here’s hoping Hal Hunter will do a great job as Carolina’s offensive practice. Subscriptions are $30 per year, line coach and that he’ll stay in Chapel Hill for a long time. With two made payable by check, money order, coaches in four years directing the all-important O-line position, the Visa or MasterCard to Extra Points Tar Heels are very much in need of continuity and stability at the Publishing Co., 101-A Aberdeen St, position. Hunter replaces Robbie Caldwell, who left in January to Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Call 919/933- rejoin old Furman coaching associate . He comes to 2082 or e-mail [email protected]. Thanks Carolina from two years at Indiana, where he was O-line coach and to the Educational Foundation Inc. and offensive coordinator. He’s also coached the line at LSU, Vanderbilt Pinehurst Inc. for their continued and Akron. The 42-year-old Hunter is a graduate of Northwestern. sponsorship of Extra Points.

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