University of North Carolina Athletics
2002 Football Signees Plus Press Conference Audio
February 6, 2002 | General
Feb. 6, 2002
The University of North Carolina released its 2002 football national letter of intent signees on Wednesday.
"Our coaching staff did one heck of a job putting together what I believe is going to be a great recruiting class here," said UNC head coach John Bunting. "We're extremely excited about our 22 commitments. We had 23 coming into today and 22 have committed and we're really excited about those 22 good football players who I think many of which will become great players here at the University of North Carolina.
"I think we have chosen those who have great character, great work ethics and those who I think will be proud to be University of North Carolina graduates four or five years from now. I think we did a really good job selecting these players and I think all of these guys who have chosen to come to the University of North Carolina are going to sell out for this University and sell out for this program and are going to make strong contributions to many winning seasons to come.
"I think no one could ever say they have the perfect class, but we have a very strong class, one that's very fast and very athletic and in the defensive line and offensive line positions is very physical. That's what we are looking for. I'm very pleased with the defensive ends that we have and the safeties and running backs. The wide receivers have speed. We believe that there are a couple of players who will be projections for us into the linebacker position that have size and speed.
"With the staff I have here at the University of North Carolina there is no doubt in my mind that a year or two from now these guys will be very productive. I think we'll have a number of players who are going to enter the field from this class next year."
The following is a look at Carolina's 2002 recruiting class:
2002 University of North Carolina Football National Letter-of-Intent Signees
| Name | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Hometown (H.S./Previous School) |
| Alden Blizzard | 6-4 | 225 | DE | Laurel, Md. (Laurel) |
| Melik Brown | 6-2 | 225 | LB | Camden, N.J. (Woodrow Wilson) |
| Lewis Burnham | 6-5 | 235 | TE | Moorestown, N.J. (Moorestown) |
| Mahlon Carey | 6-2 | 195 | RB | Mableton, Ga. (South Cobb) |
| Whit Efird | 6-5 | 305 | OL | Oakboro, N.C. (West Stanly) |
| Daunte Fields | 6-1 | 160 | WR | Wellington, Fla. (Cardinal Newman) |
| Ian Firestone | 6-2 | 190 | WR | Sinking Spring, Pa. (Wilson) |
| Michael Gilmore | 6-1 | 170 | WR | Greenville, S.C. (J.L. Mann) |
| Kendall High | 6-6 | 250 | DE | Salisbury, N.C. (West Rowan) |
| Cedrick Holt | 6-1 | 180 | DB | Wadesboro, N.C. (Anson County) |
| Derrele Mitchell | 6-4 | 190 | WR | Winston-Salem, N.C. (R.J. Reynolds/Hargrave M.A.) |
| Brian Rackley | 6-4 | 230 | DE | Tallahassee, Fla. (Lawton Chiles) |
| Xavier Rainey | 6-5 | 230 | DE | Stone Mountain, Ga. (Southwest DeKalb) |
| Kyle Ralph | 6-4 | 280 | OL | Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier) |
| Mickey Rice | 6-2 | 265 | DL | Union, S.C. (Union) |
| Tommy Richardson | 6-3 | 205 | DB | Miami, Fla. (North Miami Beach) |
| Rashaad Tindall | 6-4 | 195 | DB | Wilmington, N.C. (Laney) |
| D.J. Walker | 6-1 | 170 | RB | Pisgah Forest, N.C. (Brevard) |
| Jacoby Watkins | 6-1 | 190 | DB | Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland) |
| Chris Woods | 6-5 | 280 | OL | Columbia, S.C. (Irmo) |
| David Wooldridge | 6-3 | 185 | PK/P | Advance, N.C. (Davie) |
| Victor Worsley | 6-2 | 220 | LB | Battleboro, N.C. (North Edgecombe) |
Alden Blizzard
6-4, 225, Defensive End
Laurel, Md.
Laurel High School
Rated the No. 18 senior in Maryland by SuperPrep * Three-year starter * Had 72 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior * Played on the interior defensive line as a sophomore and junior, but was moved to defensive end as a senior * Had 80 tackles and nine sacks as a junior * Also played tight end * Cousin of current Tar Heel tight end Bobby Blizzard * Coached by Mike Rudden * Played basketball as a junior.
Bunting on Blizzard: "A young player who I think is going to grow and has a high motor and long arms. I think he'll become a very fine defensive end."
Melik Brown
6-2, 225, Linebacker
Camden, N.J.
Woodrow Wilson High School
Played both defensive end and center on offense * Helped lead Camden to a 12-0 record and its first ever sectional state championship * Selected all-conference and all-group as a junior * Made 57 tackles and had 10 sacks in his senior season * Had 45 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three caused fumbles and two fumbles recovered as a junior * Had 16 pancake blocks and graded out over 90 percent on his blocks as a junior * All-Area as a senior * Coached by Michael McBride.
Bunting on Brown: "He's a defensive end who I think will become and outstanding outside linebacker. He's also snapped in his career. He has great instincts for the football, which you want in a linebacker."
Lewis Burnham
6-5, 235, Tight End
Moorestown, N.J.
Moorestown High School
Played offensive tackles and tight end on offense and linebacker on defense * Helped lead Moorestown to an 11-1 season and the New Jersey Group 2 state championship as a junior * Rated the No. 27 prospect in New Jersey * His father, Lem, was a teammate of John Bunting's with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s * Burnham was a defensive end and Bunting was a linebacker for the Eagles * The elder Burnham works for the NFL as vice president of player and employee development * Coached by Frank Paris.
Bunting on Burnham: "His daddy and I played together with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a very intense guy. He has the skills and athleticism to become a fine tight end."
Mahlon Carey
6-2, 195, Running Back
Mableton, Ga.
South Cobb High School
Rushed for 1,615 yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a senior * Ranked among the Top 50 prospects in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution * Ranked among the Super Southern 100 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution * Rated the No. 58 prospect in Georgia by SuperPrep * Made all-state as a kick returner * Played safety on defense and had 90 tackles and three interceptions * Returned four kicks for touchdowns * Started at forward for the basketball team and was the 4-A state champion in the 100 meters * Rushed for 1,505 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior * Coached by Shane McQueen * Also played basketball and ran track.
Bunting on Carey: "He's an extremely instinctive runner. He is very bright with good grades, high character, great family. He could play either side of the ball. We're going to start him at running back but I wouldn't be surprised at some point if he doesn't get over there on the defensive side. I think he'll make a strong contribution to us right away on special teams because he has great speed and great athleticism."
Whit Efird
6-5, 305, Offensive Line
Oakboro, N.C.
West Stanly High School
Three-year starter at right offensive tackle and saw some action at defensive tackle * Two-year all-conference and two-year all-county * Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team * Ranked among the top 20 players in North Carolina by the Raleigh News & Observer * Handled all kicking duties, including punting, kickoffs, extra points and field goals * Made five of seven field goals and 22 of 27 extra points in 2000 * Team was 7-3 and made the first round of the playoffs in junior season * Coached by Mark Little.
Bunting on Efird: "We watched him in camp and I saw him in some of the touch football leagues and I saw him throwing touchdown passes and doing backflips and I said `Who is that guy. That guy is a heckuva athlete.' Because of that tremendous athleticism that he has, I think he'll be a fine offensive lineman either at the guard position or the center position."
Daunte Fields
6-1, 160, Wide Receiver
Wellington, Fla.
Cardinal Newman High School
Had 41 catches for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior * Returned two punts for scores and one kickoff for a touchdown * Intercepted four passes and recovered one fumble * Rated the No. 41 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep * Ranked among the Top 100 Florida prospects by the Orlando Sentinel * Attends the same high school as current Tar Heel basketball player Jackie Manuel * Coached by Sam Budnyk.
Bunting on Fields: "Daunte is a very fine athlete and an excellent basketball player. He's very speedy with a great vertical leap and great hands. He has a great upside for us on either side of the ball and also returning kicks."
Ian Firestone
6-2, 190, Wide Receiver
Sinking Spring, Pa.
Wilson High School
High School All-America honors by SuperPrep, Rivals, Sporting News, Prepstar and Tom Lemming * Rated the nation's No. 8 wide receiver by SuperPrep magazine and the No. 35 wide receiver by Rivals100.com * Four-year starter * Established school and county career records with 134 receptions for 1,907 yards * Scored 13 touchdowns * Earned all-state, all-county and all-league honors as a senior * Caught eight passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns in win over rival Manheim Township, breaking Wilson's career receiving yardage record * Also played cornerback * Member of the all-state academic team * Coached by Jim Cantafio.
Bunting on Firestone: "He's extremely competitive and from a good league in Pennsylvania. He catches the ball well and has really soft hands and could help us on special teams right away."
Michael Gilmore
6-1, 170, Wide Receiver
Greenville, S.C.
J.L. Mann High School
Two-year starter * Began his junior season as the starting quarterback, but moved to wide receiver during the middle of the season and became an all-region player in both seasons * Named all-state as a senior * Caught 20 passes for over 300 yards and six touchdowns as a senior * Also played defensive back and returned kicks * Returned two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior * Had nine career interceptions, including four as a senior * Coached by Mickey Crocker * Member of the track team and was the state champion in the 400 meters as a junior * Attended the same high school as former Tar Heel standout and current UNC Assistant Athletic Director Rick Steinbacher.
Bunting on Gilmore: "Great speed, great athleticism, great quickness. He's played both sides of the ball and returned kicks. He has great upside for us. I think you'll see him starting for us before too long."
Kendall High
6-6, 250, Defensive End
Salisbury, N.C.
West Rowan High School
Three-year starter at West Rowan * Team was 8-3 as a sophomore, 12-2 and conference champs as a junior and 6-5 as a senior * Had 86 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, an interception for a touchdown and three blocked kicks (one for TD, one for safety) as a senior * Selected to play in the East-West All-Star game * North Piedmont Conference Player of the Year * All-county, all-conference as a senior * Played basketball as a sophomore and junior, but did not play as a senior to prepare for college football * Coached by Scott Young.
Bunting on High: "Kendall has played defensive end. As you can see he has great size and he is growing. He has tremendous character, working real hard in the classroom. I think he'll be an excellent student-athlete here. He could play at defensive end, he could possibly grow into a defensive tackle. He has a great motor."
Cedrick Holt
6-1, 180, Defensive Back
Wadesboro, N.C.
Anson County High School
Only played in one game as a senior due to a groin injury, but was still named to the Shrine Bowl * Was a four-year starter * One of the Charlotte Observer's Top 25 prospects in North Carolina * Rated the No. 37 prospect in North Carolina * Had an outstanding junior season starting at free safety * Made eight interceptions, broke up 19 passes and had 79 tackles * Scored five touchdowns as a wide receiver * Coached by Fred Davis.
Bunting on Holt: "He has great athleticism, great quickness, great instincts. He has a ways to go academically, but I think he has a good chance to make it. We hope so. He is from a fine family."
Derrele Mitchell
6-4, 190, Wide Receiver
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hargrave Military Academy
R.J. Reynolds High School
Played one year at Hargrave Military Academy in 2001 * Had 45 catches for 850 yards and eight touchdowns at Hargrave * Chosen for the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team as a senior at Reynolds * Caught 24 passes for 549 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a senior * Also rushed for 174 yards on 15 carries, an average of 11.6 yards per carry * Returned 15 kicks for 500 yards, an average of 33.3 yards per return * Had two kickoff returns for touchdowns * 92 and 95 yards * Accumulated 1,223 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns * All-conference as a junior and senior * All-area selection as a senior * In his high school career, caught 56 passes for 1,347 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed 25 times for 199 yards * Also had three interceptions * Coached by Alex Mebane at Reynolds and Lonnie Messick at Hargrave * Leading scorer on basketball team that won the 4-A state championship as a junior * Named the basketball West Regional MVP in the playoffs * Also competed in the long jump and placed in the conference meet.
Bunting on Mitchell: "He was committed to us last year but fell short the first time. But he's doing extremely well - he's an honors student at Hargrave. We're extremely excited about his size and his speed at the wide receiver position."
Brian Rackley
6-4, 230, Defensive End
Tallahassee, Fla.
Lawton Chiles High School
Three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines * Had 105 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass deflections and four forced fumbles as a senior * All-Big Bend first-team selection at defensive end * Selected to play in the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game * Defensive captain of the Florida team * Coached by Mike Hickman.
Bunting on Rackley: "We got on to him kind of late, but he came up here and visited the University of North Carolina and absolutely loved it. He has a tremendous upside. He's more like 6-5, 6-6. He has a physique that should fill out and he should play at 265-270 pounds before too long. He's very physical and great with his hands at the defensive end position."
Xavier Rainey
6-5, 230, Defensive End
Stone Mountain, Ga.
Southwest DeKalb High School
Had an outstanding senior season with 181 tackles, 52 tackles for losses, 13 sacks, caused five fumbles and recovered four fumbles * Honorable-mention all-state in Class 5-A * Rated the No. 23 prospect in Georgia by SuperPrep * Coached by Buck Godfrey.
Bunting on Rainey: "Great story on this young man. He grew up living with his aunt and other family and siblings -- he was not raised by a mom or dad. He's had a tough time, but he's an overachiever. He has great SATs, great academics from a fine school. Great kid in their program. I think he might be a fine linebacker. I'm going to try to convert him right away to the linebacker position and see how it goes."
Kyle Ralph
6-4, 280, Offensive Line
Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Xavier High School
Ranked among the top 25 offensive linemen in the country by several analysts * Three-year starter who played at center as a sophomore, guard as a junior and left tackle as a senior * Ranked as the No. 44 senior in the Midwest (six-state area) by SuperPrep * All-state and all-county as a senior * Played in Ohio's North-South All-Star Game * Invited to play in the Big 33 Game, matching Ohio's all-stars vs. Pennsylvania's all-stars * Helped lead St. Xavier to a 13-1 record as a senior and a berth in the state championship game * Team was runnerup in Ohio's Division I, the state's biggest schools * Will not turn 18 until next September * Started six games as a 14-year-old sophomore * Coached by Steve Rasso.
Bunting on Ralph: "He is very physical and a very athletic and active offensive tackle who can play right, possibly left. He has that kind of athleticism. He's got a little nasty streak on the football field, which I like. Great kid, great grades, great academics, great family."
Mickey Rice
6-2, 265, Defensive Line
Union, S.C.
Union High School
Helped lead Union High School to a 40-5 record in three years as a starter on the defensive line, including the 3-A state championship as a sophomore and junior and state runner-up as a senior * Had 96 tackles, 18 tackles for losses, six sacks and 20 quarterback pressures as a senior * Caused four fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted one pass for a touchdown * Had two sacks in the Shrine Bowl * Member of the Charlotte Observer's top 25 prospects in the South Carolina * Named one of South Carolina's Elite 11 prospects * Named all-state as a senior and all-region for three years * All-Spartanburg area as a junior and senior * Had 84 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, six caused fumbles, two recovered fumbles and 18 pressures as a junior * Had over 150 career tackles * Member of the Beta Club * Coached by Mike Anthony.
Bunting on Rice: "Mickey Rice is real excited about being a Tar Heel. He's an inside player who's been playing outside. That's how athletic he is. He is a great kid who also has a great family. He has tremendous strength. He has a little Ryan Sims in him."
Tommy Richardson
6-3, 205, Defensive Back
Miami, Fla.
North Miami Beach High School
Three-year starter at defensive back and wide receiver * North Miami Beach had its best three years ever while he was on the team, including an 8-2 record as a senior * Team captain as a junior and senior * Made 76 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery as a senior defensive back * Had 23 receptions for 487 yards and three touchdowns as a wide receiver * Also blocked four field goals * Rated the No. 51 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep * Had 143 career tackles, 52 assists, five interceptions, six sacks and 28 tackles for loss * Second-team all-state as a senior * Ranked among the Top 100 prospects in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel * All-county as a senior * Student Body President * Coached by Jeff Bertani * Also plays basketball.
Bunting on Richardson: "What a great visit that was. I had a family of about 35 singing the North Carolina song....I had so much fun. We were all dancing outside his house. He is a real fiery player. I think he'll be either a safety or possibly grow into a linebacker. I see him getting reps, at least in special teams, next year."
Rashaad Tindall
6-4, 195, Defensive Back
Wilmington, N.C.
Laney High School
Played safety and wide receiver * Helped lead Laney High School to an 15-1 record and a berth in the 4-A state championship game * Team was the state 4-A runner-up * Had 50 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and two interceptions on defense as a senior * Had 15 catches for 300 yards and eight touchdowns * Did not play football until his junior season, instead concentrating on basketball * Rated the No. 30 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep * Coached by Craig Pendergraft * Was the basketball team's MVP as a junior * Averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds that season.
Bunting on Tindall: "Same type of guy as Tommy Richardson. He has a ways to go academically, but I think he's going to make it. He's doing great in the classroom. The whole school loves him. He has a tremendous amount of respect, great character, a big twinkle in his eye. He will fly around and strike people and knock them down. He's played both sides of the ball, and he shows up every place he gets on the field, whether it be at the linebacker position or as wide receiver making big plays. When you see him on special teams, you better watch out because he's going to knock you for a loop. I see him at safety to start."
D.J. Walker
6-1, 170, Running Back
Pisgah Forest, N.C.
revard High School
Played only two years of prep football * Rated the No. 25 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep * Had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons * Carried 168 times for 1,140 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior despite a knee injury that caused him to miss two games and limited his action in others * Rushed 255 times for 1,946 yards as a junior * Had 2,246 total yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior * Made 45 tackles and had three interceptions as a junior and did not play on defense as a senior * Two-time all-conference and all-area selection * Helped lead Brevard to a 10-3 record as a junior and a 10-2 record as a senior * Had 423 career carries for 3,086 yards and scored 37 touchdowns * Finished his high school career with 3,506 total yards of offense * Coached by Dan Essenberg * Also participated in track and basketball.
Bunting on Walker: "One of our first recruits, a running back/secondary guy. He is a special young man. He's got great character. He has the ability to run the football. He has good football instincts. He has high character and is from a good family."
Jacoby Watkins
6-1, 190, Cornerback
Laurinburg, N.C.
Scotland High School
Played on North Carolina's Shrine Bowl team and had an outstanding showing * Rated the No. 31 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep * One of the Charlotte Observer's Top 25 players in North Carolina * Made 68 tackles and had three interceptions as a senior * Returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns * Was a high school teammate of current Tar Heel Willie McNeill * Also competed in track * Coached by Mark Barnes.
Bunting on Watkins: "A corner who we had in camp for a day last year and we saw that he had some instincts about him and ran some good times. We're very close to his coach in Laurinburg, Mark Barnes, and we feel real good about the fact that he can come in here and help us right away and certainly, if not the first year then the next year, at the corner position."
Chris Woods
6-5, 280, Offensive Line
Columbia, S.C.
Irmo High School
Two-year starter at left offensive tackle * Played in the North-South South Carolina All-Star Game * All-area, all-region and all-state as a senior * Paved the way for two 1,000-yard tailbacks as a senior * Team was regional champs and advanced to the first round of the South Carolina 4-A state playoffs * Also wrestles in the heavyweight classification * Has a 31-inch vertical leap * Coached by Bob Hanna.
Bunting on Woods: "Coached by my old teammate here Bob Hanna, down in Columbia. He has tremendous athleticism for being that big and he's at 270-275 and very lean."
David Wooldridge
6-3, 185, Place-kicker/Punter
Advance, N.C.
Davie High School
Made all-state as a punter and a place-kicker as a senior * All-Northwest Region and all-conference selection as a junior and senior * Made 28 of 34 career field goals and 58 of 61 career point after attempts * Averaged 44.5 yards per punt, made 12 of 17 field goals and 37 of 39 extra points as a senior * Did not miss a field goal (12 for 12) under 45 yards as a senior * Was a perfect 10 of 10 in field goal attempts as a junior * Longest field goal was a 49-yarder as a junior * Also booted a 45-yarder as a senior * Team was 9-2 and tied for the conference championship as a senior * Coached by Doug Illing.
Bunting on Wooldridge: "From another great family. We're tickled to have him. He has a strong leg as a kicker. He'll make Coach Webster's kickoff coverage that much better because they won't have to cover very much - he'll kick them through the end zone. He also has the ability to punt. He's only been doing that for a short time, but from what we've seen he has tremendous potential to not only kick it deep but hang it high."
Victor Worsley
6-2, 220, Linebacker
attleboro, N.C.
North Edgecombe High School
Rated the 10th-best senior and No. 2 linebacker in North Carolina by SuperPrep * Named to the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team * Four-year starter at linebacker * Also played fullback * Had 140 tackles as a senior and 495 tackles in his high school career * Averaged 16 tackles per game as a senior * One of the Charlotte Observer's Top 25 prospects in North Carolina * Made 25 tackles for loss for 88 yards * Rushed 125 times for 886 yards and 22 touchdowns * Three-time all-conference and all-area performer * Named the Area Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior * Two-time all-state at linebacker * Team advanced to the playoffs every year, including an appearance in the state championship game his freshman season * Coached by Raymond Cobb * Played basketball for three years.
Bunting on Worsley: "Another great family. He has great character. Runs to the ball. Great academics. He's going to come in here to challenge to play right away. Look for Victor to get on the field and play a lot of football for us in the coming season."
How did other ACC schools do on Signing Day?
| Clemson | North Carolina |
| Duke | N.C. State |
| Florida State | Virginia |
| Georgia Tech | Wake Forest |
| Maryland | TheACC.com |
