Hillside's Francis, Wiggins pick Tar Heels

Durham Hillside junior football standouts Khris Francis and Korrin Wiggins committed to the University of North Carolina on Wednesday night while making unofficial visits during the Duke-Carolina basketball game.

Francis (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) rushed for 1,707 yards in helping the Hornets to an 11-2 record in 2011. Wiggins was a defensive back on a unit that allowed 16.1 points per game.

“I think both of them are going to be exceptional college players,” said Hillside coach Antonio King. “Khris’ numbers speak for themselves and he had a fantastic junior season. Korrin is one of the smartest players on the field that we’ve had in a long time.”

King said new UNC coach Larry Fedora had offered the players earlier and he spoke with them before they left to go to the game.

“They both wanted to go to Carolina and Carolina wanted them and offered them scholarships,” King said. “They are very excited about their decisions.”

The commitments are not binding on the school or players. They can sign national letters of intent in February 2012.

A video of Fedora's reaction to the commitments is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTLEYAvBBQ8