Published: 09:00 PM, Sun Nov 14, 2010
Jack Britt's Devonte Brown commits to UNC
Jack Britt'sCM!! senior defensive tackle Devonte Brown made a surprise decision on his college future Sunday when he gave an oral commitment to the University of North Carolina.
Brown, who in recent interviews listed both Clemson and Florida ahead of the Tar Heels, was swayed after making an official visit to Chapel Hill on Saturday for the Virginia Tech game. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder picked UNC over more than 20 offers, but his final list of choices included Clemson, Florida and N.C. State.
Jack Britt coach Richard Bailey confirmed Brown's pledge Sunday evening. Bailey said he heard from UNC offensive line coach Sam Pittman and head coach Butch Davis on Sunday.
"Devonte has always liked Carolina," Bailey said. "He actually committed, then decommitted to them this summer when he went up there for camp. But he's always liked them. Then the stuff with (John) Blake threw him for a loop for a while. But I think Coach Davis and the staff convinced him that all the (NCAA) sanctions involve players and not the actual program. I don't know what happens if that changes between now and signing day. But for now he's committed to North Carolina."'
Former UNC associate head coach John Blake was in charge of the recruiting efforts for Brown until he resigned in September over a relationship with sports agent Gary Wichard.
Ranked the nation's No. 28 defensive tackle by Rivals.com and No. 49 by Scout.com, Brown began his varsity career at East Bladen High School in Elizabethtown. He played there two seasons before transferring to Jack Britt as a junior.
Brown helped the Buccaneers reach the state 4-AA finals last season when he made 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack. This season he's been in on 56 tackles for Jack Britt, which meets Seventy-First in the second round of the state 4-AA playoffs Friday.
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.