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Armwood's Hadley Commits To North Carolina

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2008

SEFFNER - Armwood High senior safety Angelo Hadley has verbally committed to play football at the University of North Carolina.

Hadley chose the Tar Heels over more than 30 Division I programs that offered a scholarship, many of which were from the nation's top collegiate programs.

"Obviously, I'm very excited to be a Tar Heel right now," Hadley said Thursday morning. "They have a great football program that's up and coming with Coach Butch Davis."

A three-year starter in the Hawks' defensive backfield, Hadley finished his career at Armwood as the program's all-time leader in interceptions with 19. He surpassed former Hawks standout Trevor Weeks, the 1986 Guy Toph Award recipient.

Hadley had a monster senior season for the area's top defense. He set a program single-season record with 10 interceptions, which led the county. Three of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which also set a program record for defensive scores in a season. He also finished with 79 tackles, the fourth-highest total on the team.

The interest in Hadley began to intensify after an impressive junior season in which he tallied 91 tackles and three interceptions. He earned Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team honors and was named to the Florida Sportswriters Association Class 4A all-state second team.

Hadley said one of the biggest reasons he chose North Carolina was the program's persistence in the recruiting process.

"North Carolina has been there since the beginning of the recruiting process and never let back," Hadley said. "Of course that was for me and looking at that, seeing what other schools did."

Hadley said he considered several other schools, but that "North Carolina was always the one."

Armwood coach Sean Callahan called Hadley one of his favorite players of all-time.

"I wish I was Angelo Hadley going to North Carolina, and that I was North Carolina getting Angelo Hadley," Callahan said. "He's in good hands and I'm happy for him."

Hadley is the fourth Armwood senior to give a verbal committment, joining offensive tackle Justin Cabbagestalk (Vanderbilt), linebacker Casey Callahan (Stony Brook) and running back Sirchauncey Holloway (Liberty).

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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