Tar Heels Football

Tar Heels from east of the I-95 Corridor are emerging as playmakers

Aug. 20, 2009 
By Turner Walston

…  To build the roster to his liking, Butch Davis wants to win the in-state recruiting battles for playmakers. And they are emerging. “I don’t know what’s in the water (down east), but I’m happy it’s growing,” Burney says. “We’re starting to make impacts on college football and the NFL, and that’s a big deal for eastern North Carolina.”

Williams says the hits will keep coming. “We’ve got a lot of good athletes down there, but they don’t get a lot of recognition, or scouts don’t come out that way. Since me and KB left, a few more people have gotten looked at, so I think it’s a good thing.”

There is a contrast in styles between the football played across the state, and thus different types of players emerge from their respective regions. “We love to hit,” Burney says. “The west coast throws the ball, the east coast runs the ball. So if you play down there, you have to get used to the hitting.”

No one style is best, but bringing the best players from across the state can only help the team as a whole. Players from eastern and western North Carolina, California to Florida to New York make up this roster. All want to represent their regions, and the friendly competition pushes the entire team. “We always rep the East Coast, and Ryan Houston’s always talking about Charlotte, but it’s a big rivalry. It’s fun,” Reddick says. “We’re out there flying around together, and we’ve got a nice connection. It’s like a family.”

Turner Walston is the managing editor of Tar Heel Monthly. Follow the THM staff on Twitter.