Hargrave working for UNC commit

Roanoke Rapids, N.C. defensive end Darrius Massenburg committed to the Tar Heels back in February. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is now working out his eligibility at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. Has the time away resulted in any change of the lineman's decision?

"I'm still committed to UNC," he said. "I like the environment there as it feels like I'm right at home. Also all the coaches are nice and the surroundings are really good. I particularly like coach Browning and coach Bunting of course. I guess they stuck out because they have been so nice to me. Finally, I wanted to stay in-state because I didn't want to leave my mom like that."

To get eligible, the two-star lineman is spending this season at Hargrave.

"People try to make it out to be a bad place or at least a place you don't want to go to as everyone here wants to go straight to their schools," he said. "So far for me, it has helped me with a lot of things including getting stuff straight and being on time. It's a good experience for me and I really like meeting all the people here.

"The adjustment has been pretty hard as we have to go to practice three times a day and get up early in the morning. Those things bothered me originally, but it doesn't bother me as much anymore."

The No. 30 player in North Carolina has goals for himself this season.

"I want to get caught up to the speed of the game. In high school you're the fastest guy, but joining this team its ridiculous the amount of talent they have," he said. "There is no drop off from one person to another. It is fun and you get to see a lot of people come together as one. I just am focused on having a good season this year."

With talent loaded on the offensive and defensive line, what has Massenburg learned from all the players he's surrounded by?

"I've learned a lot of moves basically," he said. "It is hard work going up against these linemen as they average 290 pounds and I weigh 265. The idea is to get around them, but you can't so it makes me better as a person and player because you've got to learn something else."