UNC leading for 2016 NC DE

Recruitment has been busy for 2016 defensive end Zach Gilbert. The Charlotte (N.C.) South Mecklenburg standout picked up an offer from North Carolina not too long ago and he is visiting again this weekend.

"UNC is recruiting me the hardest right now," said the 6-foot, 241-pound Gilbert. "I was there one week before the Freak Show. I loved it. That's when I really got involved with the coaching staff, talked to a lot of players, talked to people and I got to observe the facility. I brought my mom and my little sister with me and they loved what they saw. They walked through and got a good tour of it. I talked to Coach Fedora and it was a good experience.

"I have driven through the campus just to get to the stadium," he said. "I have been there a couple of times for game days and I did camp there. I have talked to some of the players like Elijah Hood, some of the defensive backs, some of the defensive players, defensive linemen, tight ends and I know they are good people. It is a friendly school.

"I know they work hard and they do what they have to do to get far, especially winning the Belt Bowl last year," Gilbert said. "The campus is nice and beautiful and they have a well-staffed facility. They have good trainers and I just know it is a good school."

"I have talked to Gunter Brewer, the wide receivers coach, and I have talked to him more than anybody on the staff," he said. "I have talked to coach Fedora a couple times. I brought my mom to Chapel Hill and we had a conversation about academics and what life would be like in Chapel Hill and recruiting.

"I have talked to the defensive line coach and he is a good person," Gilbert said. "He loves what he does and I know he's a good coach. He has coached some good players in the past."

It is still early in Gilbert's recruitment but he does have three favorites and knows of plenty more that are standing out.

"My favorite schools in order are sitting at North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida," Gilbert said. "The main schools that are standing out to me that have not offered me yet are Stanford, Duke, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and N.C. State," he said.

For Gilbert, a commitment could be coming some time during his senior season. He has gotten off to a terrific start this season with 29 tackles, four touchdowns, at least 200 rushing yards, one forced fumble and five sacks through three games.