Though he grew up a Miami fan, Jabari Price certainly won’t be pulling for the Hurricanes this weekend.
Price cut ties with his favorite childhood football team the moment he committed to coach Butch Davis and North Carolina. He said the Hurricanes tried to recruit him after that commitment, but at the point, it was too late.
On Saturday, the Pompano Beach, Fla., native and junior UNC cornerback will return to his hometown for the Tar Heels’ ACC Coastal Division clash with Miami.
And though he won’t be pulling for his once-beloved Hurricanes, there will be a large contingent of fans at Sun Life Stadium rooting for him.
“I’ve been talking to my parents about this a long time,” Price said. “There’s like 50, 60 people coming to this game. It’s definitely going to be a big, big crowd there.
“But I can’t pay attention to the crowd. I just got to continue to play within the scheme that we have designed to get success.”
For the most part, Price has found success in that scheme this season — a new 2-4-5 defense put in place by first-year coach Larry Fedora.
The cornerback leads UNC in tackles with 40, and he took home ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors after a strong performance in UNC’s win against East Carolina in week four.
Last season, Price was playing through an injury in the Tar Heel’s 30-24 loss against UM, but he said he hopes he can make a greater impact this go around.
“To be honest with you, I take every game personally this year,” Price said. “Last year I got hurt, and I couldn’t be there for my team. And I played the UM game 80 percent, and UM kind of exploited that. I’m looking forward to capitalizing this year when I’m 100 percent.”
Price is one of several players on UNC’s roster from Florida — tailback Giovani Bernard will also be making a homecoming.
As those Floridian Tar Heels prepare to head home, Price said he’s feeling a mix of emotions.
“I’m nervous every game. I don’t wanna get beat. I don’t wanna give up plays,” Price said. “But I’m also excited to go home and not play in the cold for a change.
“It’s definitely going to be a big crowd there, and I just don’t want to let them down.”
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