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Ever since Dontavius Nash received an offer from Michigan on Dec. 11, the Gastonia (N.C.) Hunter Huss 2021 four-star safety has been recruited by safeties coach Chris Partridge.
Partridge and Nash were developing a relationship that began when the former Wolverine assistant expressed interest.
“They can see me coming in as one of the better safeties and stuff like that,” Nash said. “They like my style of play. They just want to build a relationship right now.”
But Partridge is no longer on the coaching staff in Ann Arbor.
Highly regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country, the assistant on head coach Jim Harbaugh’s team since 2015 accepted a co-defensive coordinator spot at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin on Jan. 2.
For Nash, a North Carolina commit since June 15, Partridge’s departure has halted his relationship with Michigan.
“Oh, uh, it changes things a lot,” Nash said. “That’s the only coach that talked to me.”
The loss of Partridge to the Rebels has altered Nash’s perspective on the Wolverines.
“At this point, I’m just now hearing about coach Partridge,” Nash said, “so I don’t know (how interested I am).”
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Nash’s primary and secondary recruiters from North Carolina are running backs coach Robert Gillespie and co-defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, respectively.
The 2021 prospect has continued to build relationships with head coach Mack Brown, his recruiters and those on the roster in the secondary.
Nash’s best friend, Belmont (N.C.) South Point 2020 three-star wide receiver Ray Rose, signed with North Carolina in the December early signing period.
“We are close, so he just helped me a lot when I took visits,” Nash said, “made me feel better, made me feel like I’m at home.”
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The 6-foot-2, 170-pound safety has offers from North Carolina, Michigan, Penn State, Appalachian State, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Georgia, Louisville, Maryland, UMass, NC State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
Despite being committed to Brown’s program in Chapel Hill, Nash said he’s not shying away from interest from other schools – including Michigan.
“It’s just something that me, my grandparents and coaches have been talking about,” he said. “It’s just something we’ve been talking about.”
More than anything, leaning on his grandparents and high school coaches for support, Nash understands the need for a top-notch education.
That’s part of the reason he picked North Carolina, and it’s why Michigan was a school that sparked his interest when the staff offered in the middle of December.
“Honestly,” Nash said, “I want to go to a school where if I don’t make it to the NFL, then I’m going to have a good education.”
So where is Nash at with Michigan following the departure of Partridge?
“Honestly, I don’t really know right now,” Nash said. “It’s something I have to think about.”
And does Nash plan to take a visit to Ann Arbor?
“It’s just something I talk to my coaches and grandparents about, so we aren’t really sure,” he added. “We haven’t thought about it yet.”
Even though Nash said most defensive backs don’t prefer to tackle, the East Coast prospect said he prides himself in the ability to cover and tackle as the complete package for a safety at the Division I level.
“I can play anywhere,” Nash said. “That’s what I think is special about me. I can move around and still make plays.”
Nash is ranked No. 249 in the 2021 class, No. 8 at the safety position and No. 14 in North Carolina, according to the 247Sports composite.
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