If Bradford (Fla.) Stark defensive back Dontae Balfour would have signed in December, it would have been with Auburn.
The 6-foot-2, 170 pounder decided not to.
That gave LSU and North Carolina more time to recruit the talented three-star, and the new staff at Auburn made a strong push, and the Tigers in Baton Rouge hung around, but Mack Brown, Dre Bly and those in Chapel Hill finished on top.
"This was tough, and I felt lost with all this at one time, but I really made my decision about three weeks ago," said Balfour. "I just had that feeling in my gut, and at that time, I had no doubt that North Carolina is where I wanted to go.
"The coaches make me feel comfortable, they are fun to talk to, they make me feel welcome, and I am ready to go work at North Carolina."
It was a Zoom call between Balfour, a coach at his high school, and the entire staff in Chapel Hill that led to his decision.
"All the coaches gave me their time, and when they went over the academics, the school, the football program, and everything North Carolina is about, I knew it in my head. I knew it is my heart too, right after that call.
"They put a lot of time and effort into getting to know me, answering my questions, and North Carolina is just the right fit for me."
Former Tar Heel star Dre Bly was the lead recruiter for Balfour, and those two bonded quickly. North Carolina offered December 28, and Bly and Balfour communicated daily after that.
Balfour knows about Bly's time in Chapel Hill and is excited to work with him on the next level.
"Coach Bly is a legend up there," said Balfour. "He did it all at North Carolina, he was big-time in the NFL, and to have a chance to play for him is amazing.
"He has talked to me a lot about what I do and how much he likes me. He says there is no athlete like me, and that he really wants to work with me and coach me. He loves my size, his loves my ball skills, and to hear things from a l coach like coach Bly, it only makes me want to work harder.
"It was easy to talk to him and I am excited to work with him."
The head coach, like he does with most, made Balfour feel comfortable and at ease.
"I love what coach Brown is all about. He is straight-up and honest about everything, he is about his players, he looks out for his guys, and I cannot wait to be around him more.
"I get to leave Florida, see a new place, and play for a great coach like coach Brown. He is a great man and I know he will care for me."
