Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wolfpack, Tar Heels offer a junior we missed

His name is Jeoffrey Pagan, and he plays for Asheville High. He’s a junior DE we had not heard of when we offered our list of the state’s top 20 juniors on Thanksgiving Day. We have now.

In the past week, both North Carolina and N.C. State have offered him scholarships, and Cougars coach Danny Wilkins says Maryland might not be far behind.

What makes Pagan, who was offered earlier by Western Carolina, such a big deal?

Well, he’s already 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, and runs the 40 in 4.58 seconds.

N.C. State assistant coach Andy McCollum was just in here a few minutes ago, and he said Jeoffrey was State’s No.1 target in the state of North Carolina for next year,” said Wilkins. “It’s gonna snowball from here.”

In 2009, Pagan made 54 tackles, including 11 TFL and four sacks. He also had 15 QB hurries, forced three fumbles, deflected five passes and intercepted two more. He returned one of those picks 85 yards for a key TD.

“He’s very explosive, just a great pass rusher,” Wilkins said.

And late in the season, with their fullback injured, the Cougars turned to Pagan.

“He carried 18 times and gained 137 yards,” said Wilkins. “He’s just so athletic.”

Wilkins said Pagan is a “great kid, sweet and a bit naïve,” and plans to shepherd him through the recruiting process.

If the past week is any indication, it’s going to be a rowdy one.

--Stan Olson

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even though NC has shown some progress playing and beating some high profile teams, someone needs to tell Butch how much we'd like to beat State and Virginia once in awhile. Those failures in our own backyard are beginning to affect instate recruiting results. If we want to make it to the big time, we've got to win at home first!

Anonymous said...

"If we want to make it to the big time, we've got to win at home first!"


LOL. But I thought Butch and Blake were Big-time "National" recruiters? Why would they care about being owned by State and UVA and it affecting NC recruiting? They'll just go get someone better, right? Botch has been exposed.

GO2HELLCAROLINA said...

Tom Owns Butchie.

31-27
41-10
28-27

The Reid said...

At least Carolina's going to a bowl game. Something a certain school in Raleigh can't say!