Thursday, August 19, 2010

Freshman DT Willis leave Tar Heels

Freshman defensive tackle Brandon Willis left the UNC football team on Thursday, coach Butch Davis said.

Willis, a prep All-American from Duncan, S.C., will move with his father, to southern California, Davis said. Willis, a 6-3, 270-pound defensive lineman, enrolled at UNC in January and had a chance to play right away given UNC's depth issues at defensive tackle.

Davis did not say where Willis planned to continue his college career, only that Willis was moving out west with his father, Gary, who had recently found a new job in California. Since Willis had already enrolled in classes at UNC, he will have to sit out a season under NCAA transfer rules.

Willis committed to Southern California coach Lane Kiffin when Kiffin was the head coach at Tennessee. When Kiffin left Tennessee in January, Willis changed his mind and enrolled at UNC.

The Heels have depth concerns at defensive tackle with the uncertainty of Marvin Austin's eligibility and the loss of Cam Thomas to the NFL. Junior Tydreke Powell and junior Quinton Coples, who moved from defensive end, have been working with the first-team defense at the two tackle positions.

Jordan Nix, a junior, and Jared McAdoo, a redshirt freshman, are the other two tackles on the depth chart.

Austin, who has started 25 games, has been working with the second team while UNC awaits the NCAA's decision about his status. Austin was interviewed by the NCAA in July about potential improper contact with an agent.

-- Joe Giglio

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

With the heat on UNC, the Blake's checks stopped flowing and Brandon fled.

Anonymous said...

great article, screw carolina!

Anonymous said...

Too much. Brandon W. was going to be in UNC's defensive rotation this year, then up and leaves. I love how UNC isn't talking about anything other than football, but are quick to point out and went in depth to blame this on Brandon's personal problems back home. Way to leverage out an 18 yr old kid.

Anonymous said...

HA I agree Anon. 3:39pm. Butch said that Brandon's dad just got a job in CA and wants to keep his family close together. That's the only reason.

Ummm.... Butch - do you not remember Brandon committing to Tenn. or Fla State? That would be 6.5 and 13 hour drives from SC respectively.

The checks are all dried up at UNC. Too much heat.

Anonymous said...

All about the $$$. Follow the money trail and see the reason for the change of heart.

Anonymous said...

wow, you experts are sure anxious to jump to all kinds of conclusions.