3-star DL Joshua Horton commits to North Carolina: 'They will push me and make me excel'

In late June, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes three-star defensive lineman Joshua Horton had a front-runner for his commitment. He was leaning towards UCF following a recent official visit.

But a June 24 official visit to North Carolina changed everything. He learned about the Tar Heels’ program under head coach Mack Brown and met with coaches. Horton also learned about North Carolina’s business program and how the school could prepare him for life after football.

The 6-foot-3.5, 275 pound prospect didn’t think the Tar Heels were a contender for his recruitment until that visit. But after it, they became one of Horton’s top options. He eventually chose North Carolina, announcing his commitment to the Tar Heels over Auburn and UCF on Friday.

“A couple of weeks after that visit, I made my decision,” Horton told On3. “I was talking with my coach. I knew it was North Carolina. It was not all football, but life after football too. North Carolina offers a lot and I want to take advantage of that.”

Horton’s commitment is a big recruiting win for Brown and his staff. The Georgia native is the No. 918 overall prospect and No. 101 defensive lineman in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. 

Horton was drawn to North Carolina’s defensive line room

A key factor in Horton’s decision was the opportunity to learn under North Carolina defensive line coach Tim Cross. A member of the Tar Heels’ staff since 2019, Cross has coached multiple players to All-ACC honors.

Cross communicated often with Horton, who is now the second defensive lineman in North Carolina’s 2023 recruiting class alongside Richmond (Va.) Benedictine four-star Joel Starlings. The Tar Heels also have commitments from two top-200 EDGE prospects: Durham (N.C.) Southern four-star Jaybron Harvey and Hickory (N.C.) four-star Rico Walker.

“Coach Cross (is) honest and real,” Horton said. “Some pat (you on the) back and tell how great you are. (He) kept it real. (He) talks about the work. Come here, groom me, push me, and get you to the NFL. Him being real stood out to me a lot.”

The group that Cross has developed intrigues Horton as well. Defensive lineman Myles Murphy, a All-ACC Second Team honoree last year, returns. Former top-50 prospect and defensive lineman Travis Shaw is also on the roster as well.

“North Carolina has a really strong defensive line room as a whole,” Horton said. “Some guys would look at that and go a different direction, but I think that is a good thing. I can go in there, compete, and gain from working with guys that are great at my position.”

Horton is excited for the North Carolina experience

In addition to Cross, Horton is excited to learn under Brown, who won a national championship at Texas. He called the Tar Heels’ head coach a “great guy.”

Horton also felt a connection with the players in Chapel Hill. 13 members of this year’s roster are from Georgia, including wide receiver Josh Downs, who holds the record for the most receptions and receiving yards in a season in program history.

“I love the players,” Horton said. “I will be around at North Carolina. They will push me and make me excel to get on the field. I am drawn to that.”

The campus environment played a role in Horton’s decision as well. He enjoyed being in Chapel Hill, which is where he will be headed for his college football career.

“Chapel Hill has that historic feel,” Horton said. “The campus has that older feel with the brick buildings and I like the vibe. The feeling was nice. It was laid back and nice for me to be in.”