Tar Heels recruiting: UNC makes offer to 2018 safety D.J. Crossen

Looking towards the future, the Tar Heels have made an offer to 2018 safety D.J. Crossen. A local kid from Greensboro, he currently holds offers from East Carolina, NC State, and Louisville, though West Virginia, Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida State, Duke, Tennessee, and Virginia are also recruiting him.

The six-foot-two, 190-pounder has spent time as a cornerback and outside linebacker, but he is predominantly considered a safety. Crossen is from Dudley High School, the same school UNC cornerback Simeon Gatling and running back Darius Graves were recruited out of in recent years. In his sophomore season, Crossen accumulated 13 tackles, one sack, and three passes deflected in seven games.

The North Carolina target has been described as raw and physical with the athleticism the school is looking for in a defensive back. He was in camp with the Tar Heels back in June, improving his 40-yard dash to 4.50 during his time there.

When asked about who is pursuing him the most, Crossen had a lot to say:

"I would probably say UNC is showing the most love," Crossen said. "Of course it means a lot. I like seeing that they have a lot of interest in me and want me to join their program. UNC is also my favorite college team sports-wise. They have a great all-around culture and I feel comfortable when I'm there. I also have a couple of teammates and people I know that attended or are alumni of UNC.

"I have the closest relationship with (defensive backs) coach (Charlton) Warren. He preaches the same morals as my coaches at Dudley and my father, which is to make me a better man on and off the field. He's also straight up with me and tells me what I'm doing well and where I need to improve. We've developed a great relationship."

It would seem that he already has a pretty good relationship with North Carolina. He's working with the coaches and making himself comfortable on campus. It has to count for something for a local kid to see several of his former teammates get recruited by the same school. He plans to visit Virginia Tech and Tennessee this month, before returning to UNC and NC State by the end of the summer. It sounds like he's interested in staying local.