University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Welcome January Enrollees
January 8, 2014 | Football
Chapel Hill, N.C. - University of North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora announced the enrollment of five scholarship student-athletes Wednesday. They are defensive back Allen Artis (Marietta, Ga.), tight end Brandon Fritts (Mentor, Ohio), running back Elijah Hood (Charlotte, N.C.), offensive lineman Bentley Spain (offensive tackle) and cornerback M.J. Stewart (Arlington, Va.).
"We're excited to have these new guys on campus," said Fedora. "They have the advantage of getting a jump start on their academic workload and will benefit from going through spring practice. All of these guys were in position to graduate early from high school and we're thrilled to have them in Chapel Hill."
Classes at North Carolina begin today.
"I'm really comfortable with the staff and I love it here," said Hood, who is ranked by many analysts as the top player in North Carolina. "My family can come see me play. You don't have to go that far to be successful. You can do big things here. I just want to do something for my state."
"I felt like coming here was the best thing for me both academically and athletically," said Spain. "I have an interest in graduate school and this will give me a good head start for that also."
2014 North Carolina January Enrollees
Allen Artis
6-1, 190, Defensive Back
Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler)
Enrolled at UNC in January • Considered the No. 36 safety in the country by Scout.com • Ranked among the top 70 players in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com • Limited by a hamstring injury as a senior, but still posted 88 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles • One of the finalists for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super 11 team in Georgia • As a junior, he had 140 tackles and three interceptions • Named all-state as a junior • Coached by Michael Collins • His father, Johnny, played football at Wake Forest with UNC receivers coach Gunter Brewer in the late 1980s • Son of Johnny and Stephanie Artis.
Brandon Fritts
6-4, 215, Tight End
Mentor, Ohio (Mentor)
Enrolled at UNC in January • Ranked the No. 23 tight end in the country and one of the top 35 players in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 38 tight end in the nation by Scout.com • Played at the same high school as current UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky • Played most of his career as a wide receiver • Caught 69 passes for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior • In his junior season, he caught 59 passes from Trubisky for 1,187 yards and 17 touchdowns • Posted more than 850 receiving yards and had eight touchdowns as a sophomore • Won a state championships at Mentor in basketball • Coached in football by Steve Trivisonno • Son of Robert and Kim Fritts.
Elijah Hood
6-0, 220, Running Back
Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Catholic)
Associated Press North Carolina High School Player of the Year • U.S. Army High School All-America • Named the U.S. Army Game Player of the Year • Considered by many recruiting services to be the top player in the state of North Carolina • Ranked the 16th best player in the nation and fourth overall running back by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 1 player in North Carolina, the No. 7 running back in the country and the nation's No. 51 overall prospect by Scout.com • Member of the ESPN300 • Ranked the No. 2 player in North Carolina, the sixth-best running back in the country and the No. 40 overall player by 247sports.com • Played in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl game • Offensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl • Finalist for the Big 22 Player of the Year Award • Rushed for a Mecklenburg County record 8,981 yards (fourth best in the state history) and 147 touchdowns (third best in state history) • Ran for 3,690 yards as a senior (second-best in state history) and 53 touchdowns • Helped team advance to the finals of the 4A West Regional before falling to Greensboro Dudley • Led the state in rushing with 3,157 yards and 46 touchdowns as a junior to help Catholic reach the 3AA championship game • Posted 1,889 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on 168 carries (11.2 avg.) to lead Catholic to a 13-1 record as a sophomore • Eagle Scout • His scout project was to renovate his church (Our Lady of Consolation) parking lot • Coached by Jim Oddo • Son of Vee and Melica Hood
Bentley Spain
6-6, 285, Offensive Lineman
Charlotte, N.C. (Providence)
Enrolled at UNC in January • Received the Big 22 Player of the Year Award as the top player in the Charlotte area • Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-America game as one of the top high school football players in the country • All-state selection • Selected to play in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl game • Ranked the No. 12 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com • Pegged as the No. 4 player in North Carolina and the No. 16 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com • Ranked the No. 6 player in North Carolina and the No. 13 offensive tackle in the country by 274sports.com • Helped team advance to the state playoffs before falling to eventual 4A champion Mallard Creek • Threw the shot put and discus in high school • Was the conference champion in the discus • Son of Blake and Cindy Spain • Coached by Randy Long.
M.J. Stewart
5-11, 190, Cornerback
Arlington, Va. (Yorktown)
Enrolled at UNC in January • Played in the Chesapeake Bowl in Virginia Beach, Va. • Ranked the No. 28 cornerback in the country and the No. 13 player in Virginia by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 36 safety in the nation by 247sports.com • Played a variety of positions at Yorktown, including running back, wide receiver, safety and cornerback • Earned his conference's offensive player of the year as a junior and also picked up All-Northeast Region and all-district honors • Piled up 1,842 yards rushing, 323 receiving and 32 total touchdowns on offense as a junior • Defensively, he had 77 tackles, 10 interceptions (returned one for a touchdown) and returned three punts for scores • Had six interceptions and returned two for scores as a sophomore • Son of Marvin Stewart Sr. and Rhonda Mayfield • Coached by Bruce Hanson.
