Four-star WR Marquez North chooses Tennessee over North Carolina

tennesseegamedayr | January 31, 2013 at 12:37 pm | 0 Comments

Four-star wide receiver and Charlotte native Marquez North has officially chosen a school, and it is not his home state North Carolina Tar Heels.

Despite a 5-7 record in 2012, the Tennessee Volunteers boasted one of the most explosive passing offenses in the nation. Thus, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound star recruit has chosen to head to Knoxville, where he can make an immediate impact in the SEC.

His father, Ramondo North, confirmed the decision to ESPN’s Kipp Adams on Wednesday evening.

“Yes he committed to Tennessee,” the elder North said in a Facebook message

Known for his strong hands and elite speed for such a big body, North chose the Vols over the Tar Heels, as well as Florida, Clemson, Georgia and Notre Dame, among several others.

After the firing of the inept Derek Dooley, Tennessee brass brought in Butch Jones from Cincinnati. A disciple of Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, Jones immediately hit the recruiting trail.

North immediately becomes the top recruit for Jones and Tennessee, but he and his staff are not quite done.

With 2013 National Signing Day literally days away, Jones has been working tirelessly to flip a few other elite prospects. The addition of North may help him reel in four-star defensive end and ESPN300 recruit Davin Bellamy, as well as the national No. 2-overall recruit Carl Lawson.

North may prove to be an immediate asset following the losses of receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter. Both of the star wideouts are expected to be taken in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

However, their quarterback Tyler Bray, has also declared for the draft, forgoing his senior year. Thus, Jones must find a new signal caller to pass to North and the rest of the team’s rebuilt receiving corps.