Four-star DE Otis to the ACC

Gastonia (N.C.) Ashbrook defensive end/linebacker Norkeithus Otis has been one of the more heavily recruited prospects in his home state. Now the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has made his college decision and one ACC program is thrilled to welcome him aboard.

"I've decided to attend North Carolina," said Otis, who chose the Heels over LSU, Florida, Duke and others. "It really came down to the environment and the coaches, I really clicked with the coaches. Whenever I went there I felt like it was home and that was important to me."

Otis, who could play defensive end or linebacker in college, is excited about how he'll be used in Chapel Hill.

"I have a really good relationship with linebackers coach Art Kaufman and defensive coordinator Everett Withers and that's big because those are the guys I will be working with when I get to college," he said. "They want to use me as an outside linebacker who can blitz off the edge or drop into coverage and they know I can play with my hand down if needed as well. I love getting after the quarterback."

Plenty has been made of the NCAA visiting the UNC campus in regards to agents and academics, but Otis feels comfortable with the situation in Chapel Hill.

"I wanted to see how things played out and the coaches were up front with everything and assured us that it wouldn't really affect coach Davis or the defensive coaches," he said. "Things have died down a bit there and I probably would have committed earlier, but I wanted to make sure things settled down first. The coaches couldn't go into detail about what's happening, but they have been as honest and up front as possible and they just made me feel comfortable."

Otis will join former Ashbrook star Jheranie Boyd, who signed with UNC in 2009, when he arrives at UNC.

"I spoke to Jheranie a few times when I visited up there, but it wasn't a factor at all in my decision," he said. "It's always good to talk to someone you know about their experience but this really came down to relationships with the coaches. This is where I want to be."

Otis hasn't ruled out taking other visits to compare things and schools like Florida, LSU and others would welcome him on campus, but for now it's all about UNC.

"I always wanted to take all five official visits, but we'll see," he said. "I might take them or I might just take my official to UNC."