Western Branch's Paul Billups is Headed to UNC
The '757' pipeline continues for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Coach Mack Brown.
On Wednesday afternoon, Western Branch Class of 2023 wide receiver / defensive back Paul Billups Jr. announced his pledge to UNC following his upcoming senior season with the Bruins in Chesapeake.
"I knew it for a long time. I've been committed since April," Billups revealed of his silent pledge from months ago that he acknowledged publicly as August nears a close. "For real, the most fun part about it is today, finally getting my commitment out of the way to the world."
The 6-foot-2, 186-pound talent chose the Heels over more than 20 other scholarship offers, including finalists Michigan State and Virginia Tech.
What was different about UNC compared to the other suitors?
"The family atmosphere. They treated me like family every time I came down there, nonstop," Billups answered.
"They told me they needed me bad. I knew I could fit a position. Other schools, most of my offers, had a lot of outside receivers. North Carolina lost Dyami Brown two years ago. I could see myself as an outside threat with Andre Greene.
Billups was a 2nd Team All-State selection a season ago, caught 32 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. He's rated the top prospect in the Class of 2023 from the Tidewater area by Rivals as well as The Virginian-Pilot.
Western Branch Head Coach Rashad Cook says that recognition has come because Billups rises to the occasion in big moments under the bright lights through the proper approach to showcase that he's a rare athlete with dynamic abilities.
In short, Billups aims to stretch the defense out and find the end zone every time he touches the ball.
"They know I'm going to bring a lot of pressure. I've got to score and get six for my team," Billups commented.
After helping Western Branch reach the Region 6A Championship last season and enjoy the program's deepest playoff run in 18 years, Billups is looking to cement his legacy as one of the best to ever grace the hallways at the school.
One of his primary recruiters was assistant coach Dre Bly, who starred at Western Branch before going on to play at UNC and helping the then St. Louis Rams of the NFL win Super Bowl XXIV (34).
"Dre and me have a good chemistry," Billups remarked. "We've been building it since last year when I got the offer. That's like a big brother to me."
Also playing a factor in Billups choosing UNC were some of the current Tar Heels that hail from the Tidewater area staying in his ear, such as running back George Pettaway out of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and Virginia Beach native Tychaun 'Doc' Chapman.
"They influenced me a lot to come to UNC," Billups admitted. "It was home. That basically is home for the 757 guys."
*** Tar Heel Illustrated Podcast on Paul Billups to UNC ***
WATCH - Western Branch WR Paul Billups Reveals Commitment to UNC:
Western Branch football player Paul Billups announces his intentions to play in college at the University of North Carolina in front of an assembled gathering of friends, teammates, family, coaches and media on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
Video Interview with UNC Commit Paul Billups of Western Branch:
Western Branch Class of 2023 WR/DB Paul Billups discusses his commitment to play College Football in the ACC at North Carolina.
Rated the No. 10 overall prospect in the state by Rivals, Billups becomes the 16th commitment in the current class for UNC and fourth from the Commonwealth of Virginia, continuing their recent success in the Tidewater area.
Billups and his Bruins teammates open the 2022 season at home on August 26th against Churchland.
Video Interview with Bruins Coach Rashad Cook:
Western Branch Head Football Coach Rashad Cook chats with VirginiaPreps.com's Matthew Hatfield after his standout WR/DB Paul Billups announced he will be playing College Football in Chapel Hill for the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
Coach Cook played at Western Branch alongside current UNC assistant and former Tar Heels great Dre Bly.
Want More on Billups + the 2022 Western Branch Bruins?
Check out our Team Preview on the 2022 Western Branch Bruins, who debuted at No. 6 in our VirginiaPreps Class 6 Preseason Top Ten Countdown earlier this week.
Full Western Branch Team Preview Here
Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him from 10 AM to Noon on 757 Saturday Sports Talk on ESPN Radio 94.1.