Supposed Tar Heels' early commitment actually isn't

Fayetteville Westover LB Christian Russell has not committed to North Carolina, his coach said this afternoon.

Scout.com had announced Russell as the Tar Heels’ first junior commitment late this morning after talking to his mother, Bridgette.

“Christian has not committed to anyone yet,” said Westover coach Milton Butts. “He and his mother are going to take some unofficial visits and look at some other places. He doesn’t need to rush this.”

Butts was asked who was recruiting Russell.

“North Carolina was the first to officially offer, but he’s being recruited by most of the ACC schools, South Carolina and others like Colorado, Illinois and Ohio State,” he said.

Russell, who is 6-foot and 220 pounds, has 61 tackles through the season’s first six games at linebacker.

When Westover coaches decided they needed him as the starting RB as well, they began giving him more carries. In four games at the position, he’s gained 746 yards and scored 12 TDs.

“He’s been averaging almost 200 yards a game,” Butts said. “He’s a load, I’ll tell you.”

--Stan Olson