With just three visitors scheduled for the final two recruiting weekends in 2007, Butch Davis and company are looking to conclude the 2007 recruiting class this weekend when a handful of visitors are scheduled to visit Chapel Hill. The biggest name of the group has to be four-star defensive tackle Tydreke Powell, who could commit on his trip.
The 6-foot-3, 298-pound Powell highlights the weekend for the Tar Heels. He's taking his third trip in consecutive weeks after visits to East Carolina and Clemson. Coming away from those, the Ahoskie (N.C.) Hertford County lineman had very favorable impressions of both schools.
There's no doubt Butch Davis and his staff, particularly assistant Kenny Browning - who has a close personal relationship with Powell, will roll out the red carpet this weekend. Add on to that the fact he has been a longtime fan of the Tar Heels, and there's going to be a strong push to get Powell to pledge before he leaves campus. If he doesn't commit, he'll take at least one more visit to Virginia Tech next weekend.
Powell isn't the only defensive lineman on campus this weekend. Two defensive ends are expected to make the trip to Chapel Hill, including Ohio end Eric Thomas and North Carolina State commit Linwan Euwell.
Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville's Thomas doesn't have an official offer from the coaching staff at this time, but expects to receive it this weekend. The visit could go a long way toward helping the Tar Heels move up for the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder. UNC is currently in the mix with Indiana, Michigan State, West Virginia and Connecticut.
North Carolina visitors
|
• Linwan Euwell, DE, Tarboro, N.C.
• Ryan Houston, RB, Matthews, N.C.
• Mike Paulus, QB, Syracuse, N.Y.
• Tydreke Powell, DT, Ahoskie, N.C.
• Eric Thomas, DE, Cleveland, Ohio
• Melvin Ingram, LB, Hamlet, N.C.
|
Meanwhile, it's still unclear whether Euwell will make the trip. He was up in the air after a trip to North Carolina State last weekend. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder still claims he's committed to the Wolfpack, but if he shows up he can expect a full-court press since the Tar Heels have a need for defensive ends.
Two Carolina four-star commitments are expected to show up as well. One is Matthews (N.C.) Butler bruising running back Ryan Houston, who has been looking around since the coaching change and has a visit scheduled to North Carolina State next weekend. There's no question the coaches will look to firm up his pledge this weekend with a good trip.
The other four-star visitor is standout quarterback Mike Paulus. The Rivals100 prospect maintains he's still firm with the Tar Heels although he has been linked to teams like Alabama and others in recent rumors. Fellow UNC commitment and three-star linebacker Albert Craddock is expected to make the visit as well. Paulus and Craddock will be looking to improve their relationship with the new staff.
Finally, South Carolina linebacker commitment Melvin Ingram plans to be in town. He maintains he's still firmly committed to the Gamecocks and believes it'll be very difficult for the Tar Heels to change his mind.
One notable exception from the list is former UNC commitment William Brimfield. The Neeses (S.C.) Hunter-Kinard-Tyler defensive tackle was expected to visit, but earlier this week committed to Tennessee. The three-star standout has since announced he will not take any more visits.
 ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial
|
