AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 09 > Entry

Westlake LB Dearco Nolan no fan of North Carolina’s recruiting strategy

Westlake linebacker Dearco Nolan told North Carolina last month that he would accept its scholarship offer, but he has since backed off.

“It was a ‘soft verbal,’” said the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Nolan, who will play outside linebacker/defensive end in college. “They had 29 commitments and can only sign 25. I didn’t want to be in all of that confusion, so I de-committed. … I love the program, but I didn’t want to be in all of that. It’s crazy.

“I think when you get up to 25, you should say, ‘we’re done.’”

So, Nolan is “still considering” his options, which incude Auburn and Middle Tennessee State. Middle Tennessee recruiters had an in-home visit with Nolan Wednesday night. Iowa State and Marshall will visit in the coming days.

Nolan’s list of serious suitors also includes North Carolina State, Ole Miss and Jackson State.

He indicated that Iowa State may be the leader. The Cyclones have been after him for quite some time and he says they’ve made him a high priority.

“Iowa State really needs some pass rushers and I was the first name on their board,” said Nolan, who had 11 sacks last season.

He likes Middle Tennessee State, too, and plans an official visit there Jan. 16. He also has Iowa State or Marshall planned for a Jan. 30 visit. He says the stature of the program or the conference it plays in is not the only thing he wants to consider in a college.

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Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Other schools

Comments

By Atlanta Jackets

January 8, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

Like Tech, I’m Number One.

Dearco, follow your head and your heart. Do the right thing.

By Jack

January 8, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

Scott,

Did you confirm that he had an offer from UNC? Doesn’t seem that’s the case, which is irresponsible.

With the dig at UNC, you should give the school a chance to clarify the situation before publishing this.

My bet is that he did not have an offer…. or is this the 2nd coming of Kevin Hart?

By Jack

January 8, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

Scott,

Did you confirm that he had an offer from UNC? Doesn’t seem that’s the case, which is irresponsible.

With the dig at UNC, you should give the school a chance to clarify the situation before publishing this.

My bet is that he did not have an offer…. or is this the 2nd coming of Kevin Hart?

By James

January 8, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this

Jack,

not trying to defend Scott, but the NCAA rules forbid any schools from making comments about specific players until after they’ve signed a letter of intent. UNC couldn’t answer the question if it was asked.

By Tony

January 8, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this

Is this a serious article. I’m a huge UNC fan and follow recruiting very close year in and out. I have never heard of this young man. This sounds like a fabricated story and AJC should have did a little bit of research before printing such nonsense. This kid stated that UNC had 29 commitments which is a fabrication in and of itself. That’s easy to check. Next colleges all over the country recruit an excess of the ncaa 25 per year all the time and unless you know the status of the other recruits and team roster, you don’t know if there is CONFUSION or not. I wish this young man all the best and hope things work out well for him but his story is a little suspect for many reasons other than my previous statement.

By Mark

January 8, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this

james, jack, & toney if you all look on rivals for the list of commitments you will see that they already have 27. they had 28 before this young man decommitted. if they are saying that they only have 25 scholarships available it means that they are hoping others decommit.

By lukewarm17

January 9, 2009 12:29 AM | Link to this

Mark,

If you’ll check rivals and scout you’ll see this kid never had an offer from UNC. He went to camp at UNC but neither rivals nor scout shows him having an offer from UNC. He wasn’t on our commitment lists either. Besides, schools all over the country recruit over the 25 player limit because they know some kids will not make it into school initially or ever. Is the AJC trying to give UNC some negative press about football recruiting? It sure seems that way.

By BIG PANTHER I.e GA STATE

January 9, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this

He was offered in spring practice.Like his teammate,Chance Warmack who chose the Crismon Tide.

By Paddy

January 9, 2009 7:51 AM | Link to this

Jack, no school can say a word about these players or they are in violation of the rules. Recruiting is just speculation for anyone but coaches and the players themselves. Right now you must take the word of the player at face value.

By Big A

January 9, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this

The kid is correct. What does this kid have to gain by making this statemaent? Nothing. Schools do go beyond their limits of verbal commits to get there maximum commits. It’s a business, get 30 verbal commits to get 25 solid commit. He just don’t want to be toyed with when he can choose another school.

Best of luck to you.

By Carolina Jacket

January 9, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

Just look out for old Butch. He appears to be bringing in a great group of recruits, but can you imagine UNC, of all places, being “Thug U” as was Miami under Davis? It will take just so long.

By Tennessee

January 9, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

I am Dearco Nolan!Rivals does not any unless they ask the players! I stop talking to Rivals ! The last time I talk to rivals was 6/30/2008 thats when they asked me about Iowa State!We stop being in contact afer I lost my cell phone and got a new number! I have 31 D1 offers all over the country and Rivals knows about none of them. I have the offer letter to prove it !I was the one that set down with the coaches and my mother when the offered! Why would I have to lie for!I’m a young man about to go to college for free!

By Tennessee

January 9, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

I am Dearco Nolan!Rivals does not any unless they ask the players! I stop talking to Rivals ! The last time I talk to rivals was 6/30/2008 thats when they asked me about Iowa State!We stop being in contact afer I lost my cell phone and got a new number! I have 31 D1 offers all over the country and Rivals knows about none of them. I have the offer letter to prove it !I was the one that set down with the coaches and my mother when the offered! Why would I have to lie for!I’m a young man about to go to college for free!

By Tennessee

January 9, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

I am Dearco Nolan!Rivals does not any unless they ask the players! I stop talking to Rivals ! The last time I talk to rivals was 6/30/2008 thats when they asked me about Iowa State!We stop being in contact afer I lost my cell phone and got a new number! I have 31 D1 offers all over the country and Rivals knows about none of them. I have the offer letter to prove it !I was the one that set down with the coaches and my mother when the offered! Why would I have to lie for!I’m a young man about to go to college for free!

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