2011 North Carolina Signees
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 • Earned second 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.
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