Thomasville star picks Vols over Heels

Thomasville High’s E.J. Abrams-Ward, the top player in the Observer’s recruiting rankings for North Carolina, committed to Tennessee Wednesday morning.

The commitment was a recruiting setback for North Carolina, which was Abrams-Ward’s other finalist.

"He said it was a tough decision," said Thomasville athletics director Woody Honeycutt, "and it was difficult for him to make the call to (Tar Heels coach) Butch Davis and Carolina informing them of the decision."

Honeycutt said the Volunteers will give Abrams-Ward an opportunity to play wide receiver, which he wanted to do. Some recruiting sites list Abrams-Ward as a linebacker.

- Ken Tysiac