College Sports
Email
Print
Defensive back commits to UNC
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: November 5, 2009
Jabari Price has changed his mind about where he wants to play college football and will head to North Carolina instead of Minnesota.
Price, a 5-11, 170-pound senior at Ely High in Pompano Beach, Fla., committed to UNC on Tuesday night. He had committed to Minnesota earlier but had second thoughts and re-opened the recruiting process. He also considered Rutgers.
Coach Rodney Gray of Ely said that Price felt more comfortable about playing under UNC's Butch Davis, a former Miami coach.
"He felt North Carolina was a better fit for him with the coaching style and things of that nature," Gray said. "The commitment to Minnesota was premature. It was more in the heat of the moment.
"One of our former players is there playing for Minnesota. Another player from Ely had played there. It was more of an emotional decision at the time, instead of thinking things out."
Price is UNC's 12th commitment and can sign the binding national letter of intent in February. He was ranked as the No. 104 senior in Florida in SuperPrep magazine's preseason rankings.
Price, a starting cornerback for a team that is 8-0 in Class 5-A play, has 26 tackles and two interceptions and has broken up eight passes. He has 4.3-second speed over 40 yards, and Ely has plays for him on offense but has not needed them yet, Gray said.
Gray considers Price a cornerback who can shut down the opponent's top receiver.
"His natural size is an asset with the type of players that he's going to see in the ACC," Gray said. "He's physical, he's strong, and he's rangy. He has great footwork. He matches up well with ACC-type receivers."
Price also runs the 4x100 on Ely's track team.
"He gets to one side of the field, and he stays there all night long," Gray said. "When he gets there, it allows us to run our defensive game plan."
Email
Print
