Hughes announces for UNC

After weeks of waiting, Saturday was finally the day for Rivals250 linebacker Travis Hughes to announce his decision. The 6-foot-1, 228-pounder decided to take his talents to North Carolina announcing the decision at a press conference in front of friends and family over offers from Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Virginia and many others.

"Out of these two schools it was a tough choice (Virginia Tech/North Carolina), I'm with the Tar Heels," he said at a press conference. "Overall, I just felt so good at North Carolina, when I came up to campus and talked to the coaches, I just bonded with the football players and everything. I fell in love with Carolina.

"It was a real tough decision to make, but it speaks a lot to how much of a bond I've built with Coach Davis and the staff. I see where their program is going and that's why I ultimately picked them."

Hughes confirmed that he actually made the decision yesterday.

"Actually my brother was a big determining factor with my father," he said. "We talked about me not being around and hammering out everything, and he felt North Carolina was the best fit for me. My brother is a strong believer in what is best for me and he broke down every college with my father. He's a real realist and would never steer me strong. He had a gut feeling like I had a gut feeling that I can leave my own legacy at North Carolina."

Following his decision, Hughes informed Butch Davis yesterday, followed by the other coaches earlier today.

"Coach Friedgen told me good job with my decision and he knew it was tough, but he told me to be smart about my decision and really think it through, he said he was happy for me," he said. "Coach Beamer said he thinks I'd be great in a Hokie hat of course. Virginia Tech was neck and neck to be honest, but it was a tough decision and I found the overall comfort at North Carolina."

So, how did Davis react?

"He was ecstatic," he said. "I told him to keep it hush hush, but he couldn't believe it. I haven't even talked to the staff. I did talk to Kevin Reddick and he was ecstatic too. He told me let's go ahead and make a national championship run."

Throughout the process, the four-star prospect emphasized comfort, what was comfortable about the Tar Heels?

"Everything is, the drive is perfect for my family, the setting there is awesome and they have a great amount of football influence," he said. "People say they are a basketball school, but I've been up many times and it's a great football influence. The fans were really hard after me and I think I can get all of what I wanted at North Carolina."

Hughes confirmed the NCAA investigation with North Carolina delayed his selection, but he is confident things will play out.

"Yes it delayed me picking them," he said. "It is still a concern, but I'm going to keep faith in it and from talking to the coaches, they are feeling confident, if they weren't this confident I wouldn't have this hat on. This hat is how confident I feel about the staff and the whole situation. I don't think they are going to get hit with nothing too hard, I'm going to keep an eye on it and keep on moving from there."

Finally, Hughes has a shot for playing time upon his arrival.

"I have a great chance to go in early with Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant leaving, to get in early and play."

As a senior this season, Hughes rushed for 1,240-yards rushing while posting 26 total touchdowns. On defense, he added 101 tackles, 13 for loss, four forced fumbles, three recovered and one interception.