North Carolina on Sunday received a commitment from Marquis Haynes, a 6-2, 220-pound defensive end from the University Christian School in Jacksonville, Fla. Haynes had been committed to Louisville but, reached by phone on Sunday, said he “felt happy and felt at home” at UNC.
Haynes recently attended a camp at UNC, and he said he has developed a close relationship with Dan Disch, the Tar Heels’ defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator. Disch has ties to Jacksonville, having spent 22 years coaching high school football in the area.
“He’s real cool,” Haynes said of Disch, who primarily recruited Haynes to UNC. “And he’s a great guy.”
Haynes is a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com, while Scout.com ranks him as a two-star prospect. He also had scholarship offers from West Virginia, South Florida and Kentucky, according to Rivals.
At UNC, Haynes might have a chance to play the “bandit” position in the Tar Heels’ 4-2-5 defense. The bandit is a hybrid position and a cross between a linebacker and a defensive end. Haynes said he has some experience playing a similar position for his high school team.
“It’d be interesting for me, playing bandit,” Haynes said.
After switching his commitment from Louisville to UNC, Haynes said he plans to take his official visit to Chapel Hill at some point later this month. He will not consider other schools, he said.
“Nope,” Haynes said. “I’m done.”
