University of North Carolina Athletics
Hargrave Experience Adds Structure, Discipline
February 10, 2004 | Extra Points
Feb. 10, 2004
By Lee Pace, Extra Points
Carolina's coaching staff would certainly prefer to get a high school recruit straight into Chapel Hill. But John Bunting acknowledges that for those who need it, a semester or two at Hargrave Military Academy can be a good thing. Linebacker Melik Brown prepped one semester at Hargrave, and new Tar Heels Terry Hunter and Khalid Mitchell spent the fall of 2003 there as well.
"These kids get tremendous structure and a very disciplined environment," says Bunting. "They might not have had the discipline in one area of their lives-be it in school or at home or whatever. They get that at Hargrave-from marching to polishing their shoes to wearing a uniform. I think they leave there with a better understanding of the team element, of what it takes to win as a team."
Approximately 45 players from Hargrave signed Division I scholarships this year. No doubt there's some culture shock moving into the no-holds-barred atmosphere on college campuses from the tight regimen of Hargrave. Wake-up at 5:45 a.m. Dorm inspection. Restricted phone and TV. No video games. "Our philosophy is that this is like a red-shirt year," Hargrave coach Robert Prunty says. "If you get a Hargrave kid, he should be contributing right away."
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Coaches never know where they might find a potential recruit. Greg Wesley, the starting strong safety with the Kansas City Chiefs, was talking last fall with his teammates and coaches about potential schools for his half brother, Stephen Green. Teammates Vonnie Holliday and Ryan Sims gave ringing endorsements of the Carolina experience, and head coach Dick Vermeil put in a word for Bunting and his program. Wesley passed the recommendations along to Green, who decided to look into the Tar Heels.
"North Carolina got an absolute steal in this kid," coach Kevin Kelley of Pulaski Academy in Pine Bluff, Ark., told The Fayetteville Observer. "He is driven to play in the NFL. He has that desire and the God-given ability .... Plus, he's faster than Greg. If they run 40s side-by-side, Stephen will win."
SQUIB-KICKS - Carolina and N.C. State combined are trying their best to keep the top players in-state. Most significant this year is the fact that Clemson and Tennessee both whiffed signing players from North Carolina. South Carolina, which hasn't had much recruiting success in North Carolina in recent years, signed one, as did Virginia Tech, Virginia, FSU and Michigan.
* Two off-season projects in the secondary: Get Lionell Green stronger and get Cedric Holt healthy. Green, a junior-college transfer last fall, needs more strength to better handle hand-to-hand combat in bump coverage. Holt broke his ankle in the N.C. State game and will miss all of spring practice. n The Tar Heels' only significant shortfall in this recruiting class was at tailback. They got a good one in Antwain Carey but would like to have signed another. "Our numbers are still low there," Bunting says.
* Spring practice will start Monday, March 15, and the spring game is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3.
* Look for Madison Hedgecock to return to fullback this spring after a season and a half at defensive end. Kareen Taylor will move to cornerback and D.J. Walker to safety. n This will be an important spring for QB Matt Baker, who's played in the shadows of Darian Durant and C.J. Stephens for three years. "Baker's got enough physical tools," offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill says. "He's bright. He's got good judgment. He's a gifted guy and has a strong arm. But he's been kind of lulled over time into accepting his role. He's thought, 'I'm not going to play, so why bother?' I can understand that. But too many times in practice, he's not focused like he should be. I told him, 'This spring is critical for you.' I think he'll compete with Darian. I really do." n Speaking of Tranquill, a key "signing" for Bunting in the off-season was getting Tranquill to dash thoughts of retiring. The 63-year-old Tranquill gave some thought to retiring in December but nixed the idea and will again direct Durant and an offense that has considerable potential. "I've still got too much energy," Tranquill says.
* Four Tar Heels were named to the All-ACC Academic football team. Jeb Terry graduated in December with a 3.25 GPA in business. Doug Justice carries a 3.34 GPA in communications. Durant was recognized with a 3.06 GPA in African-America history. And Jason Brown had a 3.08 CPA in communications. n Justin Warren has joined the program as walk-on tailback and will participate in spring drills. Warren is 6-1, 195 pounds and is from Germantown, Md.
* WR signee Brooks Foster got extra attention on his visits to several campuses. He met with Tar Heel basketball coach Roy Williams on a campus visit the weekend of the Arizona State football game and was told by Williams he would have an opportunity to compete in basketball. Foster also met with Tubby Smith at Kentucky and Gary Williams at Maryland.
* An ex-Carolina player has been on a Super Bowl roster in 18 of the last 19 years. This year offensive guard Kevin Donnalley and defensive end Julius Peppers carried the Tar Heel banner into the game with the Carolina Panthers. Peppers, in his second year, has many more NFL games and potential Super Bowls to come. Donnalley, however, has 13 years in the league and was in the final year of his contract with the Panthers. He'd like to remain in Charlotte and play some more. "Playing this game is still a lot of fun," he told The Charlotte Observer. "You get to be a kid for another year."
