Tar Heels land Jackson

Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast three-star linebacker Joseph Jackson backed off his pledge to West Virginia late last week after taking an official visit to North Carolina. Now, he has made another decision.

"I have committed to North Carolina," Jackson said. "I made the decision about 20 minutes ago."

Jackson informed the Tar Heels' coaching staff via the telephone this morning.

"We got on the phone and were kind of conversing at first, talking about the tough loss to N.C. State, and I kind of wiggled my way into the conversation and told him, 'Coach, I am ready to be a Tar Heel' and the place just kind of went crazy after that," Jackson said. "I then got Coach (Everett) Withers on the phone and defensive coordinator, Coach (Art) Kaufman, on the phone and we just talked for a minute. They just told me how appreciative they were to add me on, into the family."

For the Sunshine State prospect, the decision was an easy one to make after his recent time spent in Chapel Hill.

"It was just the fact that I love their academics," Jackson said. "Taking an official visit gave me a lot of insight. I had been to a lot of the other schools and had a feeling of what they were like. When I got to UNC, I found a place that really wanted me and really showed me that it would be the place for me. I just knew it was the right place for me."

While he wavered after his initial commitment to West Virginia, Jackson says there will be no repeat of such actions this time around.

"I am firm to North Carolina," Jackson said. "I am solid."

Jackson will enroll at North Carolina during the summer.