Offers begin for big-time NC end

Offers are already beginning to roll in for one of the top defensive end prospects in 2011 in North Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder claims three scholarships so far according to his coach and more are likely to follow.

"Coach O'Brien told the coach recruiting this area that they already put him as their No. 1 wanted guy in North Carolina," Asheville, N.C. head coach Danny Wilkins said of junior end Jeoffrey Pagan. "Western Carolina was the first team to offer and then in the same week a bit ago North Carolina and NC State offered.

"Duke called last week and Coach Cutcliffe requested it personally. Maryland doesn't seem far from offering. He's going to be a great player."

Does Pagan like anyone in the early going?

"He's wide open," he said. "It's all the same to him. He's going to take his time and enjoy the moment and visit places, talk to people and think things out."

This season Pagan visited North Carolina, Clemson and NC State.

Certainly the lineman has the size, but what else sticks out about him?

"He's an outstanding player. He just makes plays all over the field," he said. "He's explosive and he's got great speed for a guy his size. He runs under a 4.6. He's got great hands. He was used as a receiver the year before in the spread offense.

"He's also very stronger, fast and quick. He could put on 25 to 30-pounds."

Pagan is a solid person off the field as well.

"He's a yes sir, no sir type, very polite," he said. "Everybody that meets him finds out really quick, he's a kid with high integrity, character and polite, especially around teachers. Everybody has been blown away with the type of kid he is. He's going to be a qualifier too. He actually isn't playing basketball to work on his grades even though he is an all-conference basketball player."

Pagan wrapped up a solid junior season in which he earned all-conference honors while posting 54 tackles, 11 for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and two interceptions. He added 18 runs for 137-yards and two scores on offense in spot duty at fullback.