In a battle of the Browns, talented Bluefield defensive end Sean Martin chose Mack over Neal.
Martin, the top-rated recruit in West Virginia’s Class of 2020, announced on Monday that he is committing to North Carolina. He was also pursued by WVU and Penn State.
“After a great visit, prayers and a lot of thinking, I have decided to follow my heart and go where I feel that best fits me as a person and a player,” Martin wrote on Twitter. “I am 100% committed to the University of North Carolina.”
https://twitter.com/SeanMartin32/status/1140767351987671046
Martin is an imposing 6-foot-6, 260-pound pass rusher — a physique that brings to mind former Tar Heel great Julius Peppers.
Per Rivals, the Tar Heels have surprisingly worked their way up to the No. 9-ranked recruiting class nationally in the first year of Mack Brown’s second tenure at the school. Brown came out of a five-year retirement after spending the previous 16 seasons at Texas. He coached at North Carolina from 1988-1997 before taking the Texas job.
North Carolina went 2-9 last season.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown indicated over the weekend that the Mountaineers landed a commitment from an in-state prospect, though that player has yet to go public with the commitment. There are seven players committed to WVU in the Class of 2020.
This year the early signing period for football begins on Dec. 18.