Bell discusses his choice
Four-star linebacker Hawatha Bell pulled the trigger yesterday on an official visit. Rivals.com caught up with the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder to get more on his college choice.
"To tell you the truth, I've been a commit to Carolina for a long time," he said. "I told the coaches in the past couple weeks and told them I wanted to commit on the 22nd.
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"I'd probably say I knew it was Carolina since the summer. The coaches didn't know that far ahead."
What was the reaction from the Tar Heels staff when he did inform the coaches?
"The first time I told them, they got everybody on the phone," he said. "The only thing they said is that they are ready for me to come up there. I'm ready too."
Bell was clearly won over by North Carolina. What was it?
"It was the school, fans, the organization, the players, the coaches and the excitement," he said. "It was everything. I like the atmosphere there and the whole coaching staff including Butch Davis.
"I get along with all of them. I talk to them. We've known each other for years. I instantly had a connection with Coach Blake and then when I got to know Coach Thig (pen) too, I had a connection with him. I basically fit there. It's the place for me to be at."
What about Butch Davis?
"He's just the same way as the other coaches, really laid back."
Bell is thrilled with his choice and can't wait to get to Chapel Hill.
"I'm ready, I've never been excited about anything like this. If I could leave right now I would."
Bell plans to enroll in the fall of 2009.
What position is Carolina looking at him for?
"They will start me at middle linebacker, but I'll play all three positions."
Bell added one final thought.
"I'm glad I committed to North Carolina. On top of that, everybody else that committed in the 2009 recruiting class, we are going to shock a lot of people."