In a battle of the Browns, talented Bluefield High defensive end Sean Martin chose Mack over Neal.
Martin, the top-rated recruit in West Virginia’s Class of 2020 per Rivals, announced on Monday that he is committing to North Carolina. He also was strongly considering the Mountaineers and Penn State, while holding offers from Virginia Tech, Pitt, Baylor, Oregon, Michigan State and others.
“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.”
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 surprisingly have 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.
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 Dec. 18.
