C.J. Cotman, a 4-star athlete from Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, FL, committed to North Carolina on Thursday night.

Cotman decommitted from Tennessee last month and within a week he told THI that UNC was his leader. In fact, Cotman originally was going to wait until National Signing Day on Feb. 1 to announce his plans, but decided to move it up a few weeks.

The 5-10, 175 pounder credited the UNC staff with never giving up on him, even after he committed to Tennessee. They were respectful, Cotman said, but also persistent.

“I liked the coaches and how they were interested in me and showed my dad and uncle a good time…,” he said after his official visit in December. “I liked the facilities, everything I saw on the campus, and it just felt good being around the team and football offices.”

In addition to Tennessee, Cotman was also offered by Florida State, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State and pretty much every major program in the nation.

An athlete, Cotman can play defensive back and wide receiver, and said he’d be fine wherever the staff puts him, though he likely will get a look more in the secondary to start.

Cotman said last month he intended on taking a couple more visits, but ended up not scheduling any.