Basketball-player-turned-pass-rusher Kevin Hester verbally committed to North Carolina before ending his official visit to the school on Sunday.

"When I first walked in, they treated me just like family," Hester said. "And the education is just amazing. And the football team and the football staff is just great."

Last week, UNC assistant coaches Tim Cross and Robert Gillespie visited Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb High. During their stay, they offered Hester, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end, a scholarship and invited him to officially visit this past weekend.

During the two prior weekends, Hester took official visits to Coastal Carolina and Tulane. Like UNC, those schools offered.

Southern Miss was actually the first school to offer. The Golden Eagles tendered in May -- before Hester had played a single snap of high school football.

Basketball has been Hester's focus for much of his life. It wasn't until a year ago -- at the urging of head football coach Shane Queen -- that he decided to give football a try. He ended his senior season with 37 tackles and six sacks. Four of his sacks came against county rival Marietta (Ga.) High.

A dozen other schools also eventually offered Hester. Boston College, Rutgers, and Wake Forest highlight that list.

With his parents in tow, Hester arrived in Chapel Hill for his official visit on Friday. They remained on campus until Sunday. In between, they attended UNC's basketball win over No. 4 ranked Gonzaga.

"That was really fun," Hester said. "The atmosphere was just great."

Also, Hester's visit included a lengthy meeting with Cross, UNC's newly minted defensive line coach.

"He said I would be a good pass rusher," Hester said. "He can't wait to get to work with me."

Fellow Ga. defensive lineman Allen Cater was Hester's player host for the weekend.

"He and I clicked right away," Hester said. "He said I should just stay focused and don't mess around my freshman year. He was just giving me advice."

Before departing, Hester verbally committed during a meeting with Mack Brown.

"The coaches were excited," Hester said. "So was I."

On Wednesday, Hester will sign his National Letter-of-Intent.

Hester was the second recruit to verbally commit to UNC on Sunday. Obi Egbuna pledged earlier in the day. He too officially visited this past weekend.

UNC's 2019 class now stands at 16 members.