Given all that happened in 2010 to North Carolina’s football program, you have to hand it to the Tar Heels for landing an impressive class. This group is particularly strong on the defensive side, especially after five-star defensive end Delvon Simmons of McKeesport, Pa., announced for Carolina Wednesday.
The Tar Heels got two five-stars – Simmons and offensive lineman Kiaro Holts of Indiana – and five more players who earned four stars, according to Scout.com. Overall, the Tar Heels continue to pile up top linebackers and defensive linemen. It’s interesting to note that what had been a weakness in the program – linebacker – under John Bunting has quickly become a signature part of the Carolina defense.
UNC moved to add depth to the running back position when it took junior college star Stephen Houston late. The Heels offered him late, according to reports, and he jumped at the opportunity. But it’s important to note that schools usually go the JuCo route when they can’t land their top targets at a position.
2011 North Carolina Signees
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Tyler Alberts ATH 6-7 235 Clemmons, N.C. (Forsyth Country Day)
Devonte Brown DL 6-4 275 Fayetteville (Jack Britt)
Alex Dixon DB 6-1 180 Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside)
Eric Ebron TE 6-5 225 Greensboro, N.C. (Smith)
Brandon Ellerbe DB 6-0 200 Wadesboro, N.C. (Anson)
Kiaro Holts OL 6-5 275 Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central)
Stephen Houston FB 5-11 230 Little Rock, Ark. (Lakota West (Ohio)/
Independence (Kan.) CC)
Travis Hughes LB 6-2 225 Virginia Beach, Va. (Kempsville)
Kameron Jackson DB 6-0 180 Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy)
Jarrod James OL 6-4 285 Goldsboro,N.C. (Aycock)
Romar Morris ATH 5-10 185 Salisbury, N.C. (Salisbury)
Norkeithus Otis LB 6-2 215 Gastonia, N.C. (Ashbrook)
Darien Rankin DB 5-11 185 Salisbury, N.C. (Salisbury)
*Travis Riley RB 6-1 215 Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown)
Tim Scott DB 6-0 180 Fredericksburg, Va. (Colonial Forge)
Delvon Simmons DL 6-5 265 McKeesport, Pa. (McKeesport)
Sam Smiley DB 6-0 175 Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Miller Snyder P/PK 6-2 185 Charlotte, N.C. (Myers Park)
Jack Tabb TE 6-4 250 Red Bank, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic)
*T.J. Thorpe WR 6-0 180 Durham, N.C. (Jordan)
*Landon Turner OL 6-4 310 Harrisonburg, Va. (Harrisonburg)
Shawn Underwood DT 6-2 295 Fuquay-Varina, N.C. (Fuquay-Varina)
Keeon Virgile LB 6-2 210 North Miami Beach, Fla.
(North Miami Beach)
*Marquise Williams QB 6-2 215 Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek)
*Sylvester Williams DT 6-3 315 Jefferson City, Mo.
(Jefferson City/Coffeyville (Kan.) CC)
*Enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2011
Tyler Alberts
Athlete, 6-7, 235
Clemmons, N.C. (Forsyth Country Day)
Ranked the No. 27 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Also played tight end • Considered the No. 36 defensive end in the country by ESPNU • Has only played one season of high school football • Finished his senior season with 32 receptions for 495 yards and seven touchdowns • Also had 47 tackles, including 15 sacks, two pass breakups and a blocked field goal • Was named to the All-Central Piedmont Football Conference and the NCISAA All-State teams, and was selected to theprivate school Shrine Bowl • An outstanding baseball and basketball player • Coached by Mark Moroz • Son of Brad and Ann Alberts • Born March 27, 1992.
Devonte Brown
Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 275
Fayetteville, N.C., (Jack Britt)
SuperPrep All-America • Member of the Associated Press North Carolina All-State Team • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • Considered the No. 19 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 9 overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Member of the Rivals250 team • ESPNU’s No. 33 defensive tackle prospect • Ranked the No. 58 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 40 defensive linemen in the nation by SuperPrep • Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Honorable-mention member of the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern Team • Posted 65 tackles as a senior as his team advanced to the second round of the highschool playoffs • Also had 14 tackles for losses and five sacks • Helped Jack Britt reach the state 4-AA finals as a junior when he made 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack • Originally from Queens, N.Y. • Coached by Richard Bailey • Son of Adrienne Brown • Born Jan. 5, 1993.
Alex Dixon
Defensive Back, 6-1, 180
Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside)
SuperPrep All-America • Considered the No. 29 safety in the country by Rivals.com • ESPNU’s 31st-best cornerback • Rated the No. 29 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep • Helped lead Countryside to the third round of the 5-A playoffs • Earnedsecond team all-area honors as a senior • Intercepted five passes in 2009 • Ranked the No. 53 cornerback in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 35 defensive back in the nation by SuperPrep • Coached by Jared Davis • Son of Deonne Dixon • Born Oct. 25, 1992.
Eric Ebron
Tight End, 6-5, 225
Greensboro, N.C. (Smith)
SuperPrep All-America • Considered the No. 8 tight end in the nation by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 20 tight end in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 21 tight end in the country and the No. 17 overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Rated the No. 13 athlete in the nation by SuperPrep • Member of the Associated Press North Carolina All-State Team as a senior • Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Played wide receiver for the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team • Made 28 catches for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior • Also played defensive end and made 68 tackles and 13.5 sacks • Caught 24 passes for 408 yards (17-yard average) and four touchdowns as a junior • Coached by Rodney Brewington • Son of Eric Ebron Sr. and Gina Jackson • Born April 10, 1993.
Brandon Ellerbe
Defensive Back, 6-0, 200
Wadesboro, N.C. (Anson)
Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Picked off a pass in the all-star game and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown • Ranked the No. 26 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep • Considered the No. 37 safety prospect in the nation by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 69 safety in the country by Scout.com • Played quarterback as a senior and rushed for 1,000 yards, threw for 1,400 yards and accounted for 22 total touchdowns as a senior • Also intercepted four passes on defense and posted 41 tackles and nine pass breakups • Coached by Luke Hyatt • Son of Chris Ellerbe and Crystal McLendon • Born Dec. 18, 1992.
Kiaro Holts
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 275
Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central)
Under-Armour All-America • SuperPrep All-America • Second-team USA Today High School All-America • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • SuperPrep’s No. 8 offensive lineman in the country and its top overall prospect in Indiana • Member of the Rivals250 team • Ranked the No. 17 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 2 overall prospect in Indiana by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 18 prospect in the countryregardless of position by Scout.com • Ranked the No. 3 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com • Member of the ESPNU 150 and the Scout 300 • Considered the No. 8 offensive guard in the nation by ESPNU • One of 45 high school seniors to participate in the Team USA vs. The World football game in Austin, Texas, Feb. 2 • Did not allow a sack as a senior • Explosive coming off the ball • Has good feet and moves well • Can play either tackle or guard • Coached by John Hart • Son of Robert Holts • Born Jan. 25, 1991.
Stephen Houston
Fullback, 5-11, 230
Little Rock, Ark. (Lakota West HS (Ohio)/Independence (Kan.) CC)
Junior college running back who redshirted at Independence CC and has three years of eligibility remaining • In his only season at Independence, he rushed for 1,082 yards and five touchdowns on 165 carries • Played his junior year in Arkansas and transferred to Lakota West High School in Ohio for his senior season • Had 887 yards rushing with 11 TDs as a senior • Also an outstanding hurdler • Coached by Steve Carson at Independence • Son of Ronnie Deloney • Born Oct. 28, 1991.
Travis Hughes
Linebacker, 6-2, 225
Virginia Beach, Va. (Kempsville)
Under-Armour All-America • SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 5 middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com • Member of the Rivals250 team • Rated the No. 9 inside linebacker and the No. 4 overall prospect in Virginia by Rivals.com • Four-star prospect by Scout and Rivals • Ranked the No. 8 linebacker by SuperPrep • Considered the No. 6 inside linebacker prospect by ESPNU and a member of the ESPNU 150 • Considered the No. 3 overall prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep • Member of the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern Team • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • Won the skills contest at the Under Armour All-America Game and tied for team-high honors in tackles • Selected to the Chesapeake Bowl, the Offense/Defense All-Star game and the Virginia State All-Star Game • First-team all-region and first-team all-state • Also first-team at linebacker and running back in the Beach district • Three-time All-Beach selection • Played this summer in the Florida Gridiron Iron Kings All-Star Bash • Played both running back and linebacker at Kempsville • Posted 291 career tackles, including 25 tackles for losses and 20 sacks • Also had three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns, had eight pass breakups and 11 fumble recoveries • Carried 185 times for 1,227 yards and 20 touchdowns and was a first-team all-district pick as a senior • Set a Beach District record with 354 yards and sixtouchdowns on 24 carries in his final high school football game • All-Tidewater first-team selection • Rushed for 1,230 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and had 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two interceptions • Rushed for 3,804 career yards and had 47 touchdowns • Also had 18 catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns • Four-year starter • His brother, Trenton, is a defensive back at Maryland • Also competes on the track team in the 100m, 200m and sprint relay teams • Coached by Jamaine Paddyfoot • Helped conduct youth football camps during the summer • Mother is Gwedolyn Hughes; Father and stepmom are Tony and Celia Hughes • Has a brother, Trenton, and sisters Joi and Jade • Father and grandfather were high school track and field athletes • Father also competed in track and field in college • Born Feb. 15, 1992.
Kameron Jackson
Defensive Back, 6-0, 180
Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy)
Ranked the No. 37 prospect in Alabama by Rivals.com • Caught 37 passes for 900 yards and four touchdowns as a junior and intercepted three passes • Originally from Wilmington, N.C. • Injured his knee as a high school senior • Coached by Eric Cohu • Son of Rodney and Tracey Jackson • Born July 2, 1993.
Jarrod James
Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 285
Goldsboro, N.C. (Aycock)
SuperPrep All-America • Member of the Rivals250 team • Ranked the No. 8 offensive guard and the No. 7 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 22 offensive guard in the country by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 28 offensive guard in the country by Scout.com • Ranked the No. 35 offensive linemen in the country by SuperPrep • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • Three-year starter • Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Coached by Randy Pinkowski • Son of Elvin and Mary Kay James • His father, Elvin, is the head coach at Livingstone, a Division II school in Salisbury • Born Jan. 22, 1993.
Romar Morris
Athlete, 5-10, 185
Salisbury, N.C. (Salisbury)
Considered the No. 26 running back in the country by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 12 all-purpose running back and the No. 23 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Member of the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern Team • Ranked the No. 59 running back in the country by Scout.com • Rated the No. 1 running back in North Carolina and the No 19 overall prospect in the state by SuperPrep • Rushed for 1,780 yards and 30 touchdowns and had 20 catches for 258 yards as a senior • Rushed for 97 yards and scored a touchdown to earn MVP honors of the state 2-A championship game, which Salisbury won • Also named the conference player of the year • Carried 161 times for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior • Also had 11 receptions for 269 yards and four more scores • Outstanding track athlete who has run a 10.54 100-meter and 21.47 200-meter • Wonback-to-back state 2-A titles in the 100 and 200m dashes • Coached by Joe Pinyan • Son of Roland and Martha Morris • Born Oct. 21, 1992.
Norkeithus Otis
Linebacker, 6-2, 215
Gastonia, N.C. (Ashbrook)
SuperPrep All-America • Member of the Rivals250 team • Considered the No. 9 weakside defensive end in the country and the No. 8 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Ranked the No. 16 outside linebacker in the country by ESPNU •Ranked the 23 outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com • Member of the Scout 300 • Rated the No. 16 linebacker in the country by SuperPrep • Made 78 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks primarily at defensive end as a senior • Recorded 109 tackles, 10 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a junior and was named the conference defensive player of the year • Registered 72 tackles, six sacks and one fumble recovery as a sophomore • Coached by Greg Hill • Guardians are Africa and Eric Otis • Born Aug. 26, 1992.
Darien Rankin
Defensive Back, 5-11, 185
Salisbury, N.C. (Salisbury)
Ranked the No. 28 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 87 safety prospect in the nation by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 108 safety in the country by Scout.com • All-state selection as a senior • Member of the Charlotte Observer’s first-team defense • Helped lead Salisbury to the state 2-A title with 10 tackles and a pass breakup in win • Named defensive MVP of the state title game • Three sport standout in football, basketball and track • Coached by Joe Pinyan • Son of Kenneth and Bianca Gillispie • Born Dec. 12, 1991.
Travis Riley
Running Back, 6-1, 215
Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown)
Enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2011, after graduating early from A.L. Brown High School • Considered the No. 16 running back by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 98 running back in the country by Scout.com • Ranked the No. 5 fullback by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 26 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Rated the No. 3 running back in North Carolina and the No. 32 in the state by SuperPrep • Rushed for 1,924 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior and was named the AreaPlayer of the Year • Coached by Ron Massey • Son of Tiffany Flynn and Mario Douglas • Born Jan. 27, 1993.
Tim Scott
Defensive Back, 6-0, 180
Fredericksburg, Va. (Colonial Forge)
Considered the 18th-best safety prospect in the nation by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 34 cornerback in the country by Scout.com • Rated the No. 38 cornerback in the nation and the No. 12 prospect in Virginia by Rivals.com • Ranked the No. 14 prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep • Earned Commonwealth District defensive player of the year honors and was first-team All-Fredericksburg as a senior • Namedall-district as a defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner • Was also a second-team All-Washington Metro selection • Four-year starter • Carried 22 times for 173 yards and one touchdown as a junior • Also made 13 receptions for 221 yards and one touchdown • Also plays basketball • Coached by Bill Brown • Born Jan. 25, 1993.
Delvon Simmons
Defensive Lineman, 6-5, 265
McKeesport, Pa. (McKeesport)
Considered the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, the No. 5 defensive tackle and the No. 80 overall prospect by Rivals.com • U.S. Army All-American • SuperPrep All-America • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • Rated the No. 11 defensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep • Considered the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 15 overall prospect by Scout.com • Member of the Scout300 • Led McKeesport in tackles from the defensive tackle position with 57 stops, 11 tackles for losses, and one sack as a senior • Named all-league and all-state on the offensive and defensive line • Coached by Jim Ward • Lives with his aunt, Ella Watkins • Born Nov. 30, 1992.
Sam Smiley
Defensive Back, 6-0, 175
Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Member of the Jacksonville Times-Union Super 24 team • Played quarterback as a senior in high school and led Raines to 9-3 record and a berth in the state playoffs • Threw for 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns and had 16 rushing touchdowns • Missed most of his junior season after tearing a ligament in his foot • Was teammates with current UNC wide receiver Sean Tapley in high school • Also plays basketball • Coached by Duran Wiley • Born Oct. 27, 1992.
Miller Snyder
Place-kicker/Punter, 6-2, 185
Charlotte, N.C. (Myers Park)
Played in the U.S. ArmyAll-America Game • Member of the Associated Press North Carolina All-State Team • Ranked the No. 8 kicker prospect in the nation by ESPNU • Kicked 39 touchbacks on 48 kickoffs as a high school senior in 2010 • Made four of five field goal attempts with a long of 38 yards as a senior • Also averaged 38.2 yards per punt • Earned all-conference honors • Coached by Greg Taylor • Son of John and Molly Snyder • Born Dec. 4, 1992.
Jack Tabb
Tight End, 6-4, 240
Red Bank, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic)
Ranked the No. 11 tight end in the country by ESPNU • Considered the No. 25 tight end by Scout.com • Rated the No. 35 tight end in the country and the No. 17 prospect in New Jersey by Rivalscom • Considered the No. 11 prospect in New Jersey by SuperPrep • Played on both sides of the ball at tight end and linebacker at Red Bank Catholic High School • Posted 21 receptions for 458 yards and five touchdowns as a senior • Played for the North team in the Chesapeake Bowl, a high school all-star game in the Northeast • Caught seven passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as a junior • Recorded 52 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks in 2009 • Born in Japan and has lived in Tennessee, Hawaii, Korea and Indiana • Moved to New Jersey prior to sophomore year • Coached by Jim Portela • Son of Julie Tabb Carter • Born July 29, 1992.
T.J. Thorpe
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180
Durham, N.C. (Jordan)
Enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2011, after graduating early from Jordan High School, which is just a few miles from the Chapel Hill campus • SuperPrep All-America • Member of the ESPNU 150 as the No. 88 overall prospect in the country • Considered the No. 11 athlete in the nation by ESPNU • Member of the Rivals250 • Rated the 15th overall wide receiver by Rivals.com and the No. 6 prospect in North Carolina • Rated the No. 21 wide receiver by SuperPrep • Ranked the No. 50 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com • Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Set a state single-season mark as a junior by returning five kickoffs for touchdowns • Established a school career record with 2,423 receiving yards • Coached by Mike Briggs • Son of Tyrone and Carmen Thorpe • Born May 26, 1993.
Landon Turner
Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 310
Harrisonburg, Va. (Harrisonburg)
Enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2011 after graduating early from Harrisonburg High School • SuperPrep All-America • Ranked the No. 91 overall prospect and the No. 5 offensive guard in the country by Scout.com • Member of the Scout 300 • Played in the U.S. Army All-America Game • Member of the Rivals250 • Rated the No. 3 offensive guard in the nation and the No. 106 overall prospect by Rivals.com • Ranked the third-best prospect in Virginia by Rivals.com • Rated the top offensive lineman and the No. 6 overall prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep • Named all-state in back-to-back seasons • Paved the way for Harrisonburg’s running back to rush for more than 5,000 yards over the last two seasons • Helped lead his team to the state finals as a senior • Also played middle linebacker • Coached by Tim Sarver • Son of Dawn Womack and West Turner • Both his father and uncle played football at West Virginia • Born May 15, 1993.
Shawn Underwood
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 295
Fuquay-Varina, N.C. (Fuquay-Varina)
Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Ranked the No. 33 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com • Considered the No. 51 defensive tackle by ESPNU • Rated the No. 29 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Was a standout player on both sides of the ball • Earned all-league honors as a offensive guard and defensive end as a junior • Named the league’s defensive player of the year as a senior • Coached by Ryan Habich • Son of Terry Underwood • Born March 2, 1992.
Keeon Virgile
Linebacker, 6-2, 210
North Miami Beach, Fla. (North Miami Beach)
Considered one of the top 25 players in Dade County in Florida • Rated one of the top 100 players in Florida by SuperPrep • Made 82 tackles and had 12 sacks as a senior • Posted 89 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior • Rated the No. 139 outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com • Plays at North Miami Beach where former Tar Heel Tommy Richardson serves as athletic director • Advanced to the second round of the state playoffs as a senior • Son of Joan and Walkins Virgile • Born Feb. 9, 1992.
Marquise Williams
Quarterback, 6-2, 215
Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek)
Enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2011, after graduating early from Mallard Creek High School • SuperPrep All-America • Parade All-America • Member of Tom Lemming’s All-America Team • The No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com and a member of the Rivals250 • Considered the No. 10 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Ranked the No. 16 quarterback in the country by Scout.com • Rated the No. 15quarterback in the country by SuperPrep • Member of North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl team • Member of the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern Team • Completed 170 of 254 attempts (67 percent) for 3,034 yards, 45 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a senior • The passing yards rank 19th in Mecklenburg county history and the passing touchdowns is sixth best in county history • Also rushed for 1,147 yards and 19 more scores and was named the Area Offensive Player of the Year and conference offensive player of the year • Threw for 2,100 yards, rushed for 1,400 yards and accounted for 40 total touchdowns in 2009 • Passed for 2,300 yards, rushed for1,000 yards and accounted for 37 touchdowns as a sophomore • Helped guide his team from a 1-win season as a freshman to the playoffs as a junior and senior • Coached by Mike Palmeiri • Son of Bernard Whiteside and Lisa Williams • Born Oct. 5, 1992.
Sylvester Williams
Defensive Tackle, 6-3, 315
Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City/Coffeyville (Kan.) CC)
Enrolled at Carolina inJanuary, 2011, after two seasons at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College • Has two seasons of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt season if necessary • Considered a four-star prospect by Scout.com • Ranked the No. 12 junior college talent by SI.com • Rated the No. 14 overall junior college prospect by SuperPrep • Recorded 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and five blocked kicks in 2010 and was named all-conference and honorable-mention All-America • Coached by Darian Dulin at Coffeyville Community College • Son of Sylvester Williams Sr. • Born Nov. 21, 1988.