Defensive end Donte Moss (6 feet 4, 226 pounds) of Jacksonville Northside and offensive tackle David Collins (6-7, 290) of East Forsyth picked the Tar Heels.

The verbal commitments, as always, are not binding on the school or player. Players may sign official national letters in February 2009.

UNC leads the ACC with 10 commitments, including seven from in-state players.

The highest-ranked Carolina recruits are Moss and wide receiver Joshua Adams of Cheshire (Conn.) Academy. Moss is one of the state's two four-star players, according to the scout.com Web site. The other is uncommitted safety Devonte Holloman (6-2, 200) of Charlotte Independence.

The state's only five-star player [the highest ranking] is 6-foot-6, 286-pound offensive lineman Xavier Nixon of Fayetteville Britt.

In the ACC, Miami and Florida State also have some significant commitments.

Miami has four, including Bryce Brown of Wichita (Kan.) East, who is the No. 1 running back prospect in the country.

Florida State has six commitments, including five-star defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel (6-1, 280) of Madison County, Fla.

Virginia has five commitments. Clemson has four, Georgia Tech has three and N.C. State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest each have one. Boston College, Duke and Maryland have no known commitments.

PLUMMER: Apex boys basketball coach David Neal has no doubt that Timmy Plummer can play on the NCAA Division I level, but says that Plummer probably will have to go to junior college next year.

"Timmy not only missed the first semester of his senior year because of his academics, he'll continue to pay the price," Neal said.

"Right now, he probably can't play at the level that he could if his academics were better.

"But the way he has handled things makes me think that he is going to handle this, too. There are a lot of junior colleges that would love to have him."

MCMANUS SIGNS: Garner defensive lineman Alan McManus recently signed with Catawba.

McManus was a defensive line starter during his senior season until he was injured. He worked his way back into the starting lineup by the end of the season.

"He didn't play as much for us as he would have liked," Garner coach Nelson Smith said. "But I know he is ready to contribute at Catawba."

SCOTT TO GREENSBORO: Athens Drive's versatile football defender Nathan Scott has signed with Greensboro College.

Scott (6 feet, 202 pounds) played safety, linebacker and defensive end as a three-year starter.

"Greensboro is a Division III school and doesn't give athletic scholarships, but Nathan was someone they targeted early as someone they really wanted," Athens coach Jeff Smouse said.