Top O-Lineman Looking Hard at Tar Heels

Rivals100.com calls Marcus McNeil the No. 14 offensive line prospect in the nation. North Carolina simply calls Marcus McNeil, by telephone, as often as possible.

McNeil wouldn't have it any other way. He's grown up admiring the Tar Heels, thanks in part to a family connection in Fayetteville, N.C., and ranks UNC high among his college possibilities.

"I like them a lot," McNeil said recently from Ellenwood, Ga., where he plays for Cedar Grove High School. "I'd say they're right in there with Miami, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Michigan."

Those are just a sample of the schools that have offered scholarships to McNeil. It only takes one look at his physical features to understand why.

McNeil stands 6-foot-8, weighs 305 pounds and can run the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds. His stature and style have prompted comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson, a former Auburn star. SuperPrep recruiting magazine ranks McNeil as the No. 1 OL in the nation.

Robert Rice is McNeil's coach at Cedar Grove. Rice says McNeil is the complete package when it comes to academics and athletics.

"What the recruiters really like about him above everything else is his size and speed," Rice said. "But along with that is his academics. He's a 3.3 grade point average student and he has qualified on his SAT score. When the recruiters hear that, they say, 'Hey, this is a guy we really want to get because he has everything.' "

McNeil doesn't expect to reach a decision on his college choice anytime soon. But when he does, it'll be somewhere that makes McNeil feel at home.

"I probably won't make my decision until after the (high school) season, probably sometime during basketball season," McNeil said. "I'll probably choose a place where I fit in and can fall right into things."

North Carolina could fit the latter, considering McNeil's connections. He's been a regular visitor for years to his father's hometown of Fayetteville.

James McNeil attended E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, which, coincidentally also produced ex-Tar Heel defensive end Russell Davis and current end Joey Evans. The senior McNeil also attended Fayetteville State University, where he was a member of the football team.

"My Dad is always talking junk about E.E. Smith and how good they used to be," Marcus McNeil said. "I go there (Fayetteville) pretty much every summer. Both my grandparents still live there. I used to want to play football there because the competition is so good. Plus, my cousin, Brandon Moore, plays at Hoke County."

Rice also has connections to Fayetteville. He came to Cedar Grove from Hope Mills, N.C., just outside Fayetteville. He was an assistant coach for the 1991 South View High School team from there that claimed the state 4-A championship.

UNC has already received a verbal commitment from one offensive lineman, Whit Efird from West Stanly High in Oakboro, N.C. The Tar Heels are expected to sign between two and four blocking prospects.

McNeil said he has been impressed with UNC's turnaround this season. He got a first-hand look at the reversal when he attended the UNC-N.C. State game in Raleigh on Sept. 29.

"They had it rough at the start, but it looks like they've turned things around," McNeil said. "They have a nice squad."

Speaking of offensive linemen, 6-5, 265-pound Brandon Jeffries from Shelby, N.C., says he'll trek to UNC for one of his five official visits. Jeffries, the No. 8 prospect in North Carolina according to SuperPrep, is also in the process of scheduling visits to N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

North Carolina's success this season has prompted many recruits to add the Tar Heels to their list of possibilities.

One prominent player who has done so recently is fullback Brandon Snow from Newark, Delaware. SuperPrep rates Snow the No. 1 fullback prospect in the nation. The 6-1, 215-pounder is a powerhouse blocker who also doubles as a linebacker on defense.

Snow is now being courted by the UNC coaching staff along with those from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and others.

The Tar Heels are reportedly also getting involved with highly rated Florida defensive back Greg Threat, a 6-1, 170-pounder from Tallahassee. Threat is being pursued by a horde of schools, including Alabama, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami and Notre Dame.