Top Carolina DE stays at home

North Carolina landed one of the top prospects in the Tar Heel State for 2009 on Monday. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder gave his pledge to Butch Davis Monday afternoon over offers from over a dozen other colleges.

"I committed today to Coach Blake, Coach Williams and Coach Davis," defensive end Donte Moss said. "Oh, they were happy and excited.

"The big thing for me was talking to Coach Blake, sometimes when I talked to him it wasn't even about football. He talked to me about life and the kind of things you go through. That's what stood out to me. Most coaches didn't talk about that, most talked about football. I understand I'm going for football, but I want to know how they will help me succeed if football doesn't work."

Numerous other factors played into Moss's decision as well.

"Other than the coaches, it helped that my family is mostly in North Carolina," he said. "I also have friends on the team in Deunta Williams and Kendric Burney. That played a good factor for me. They already went through what I'm about to go through. They give me a lot of advice.

"I also like the fact Coach Davis is about to make them turn around and I like the fan and family base I got there."

The Jacksonville (N.C.) Northside prospect is relieved to have the decision behind him.

"Making this decision now allows me to focus on my senior year and doing good in the books."

Moss held approximately 13 or 14 other offers including ones from N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Clemson, Florida and LSU.

Is there any chance he'll go back on a decision?

"Carolina is my main choice," he said. "My mind is still open for now. There might be somebody else out there. I'm not going to shut off my ears to any other colleges."

Moss wrapped up by discussing how he fits in at UNC.

"The coaches told me they see me as a linebacker/defensive end in the 3-4," he said. "They think I'm ready to strap up as soon as I get there."