Joe Dailey said Monday he plans to continue his college football career at North Carolina.

The former Nebraska quarterback chose the Tar Heels after narrowing his final list to Rutgers and Maryland, he said. His plans will be finalized as soon as Tuesday, when he will sign scholarship papers, he said.

"It's a prestigious school," Dailey said of North Carolina. "I'm excited about it."

North Carolina head coach John Bunting guided the Tar Heels to a 6-6 record last season, including 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Former Husker secondary coach Marvin Sanders is the team's defensive coordinator.

"Coach Bunting was very up front with Joe, and obviously Marvin Sanders was a connection," said Rich Hansen, Dailey's coach at St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey. "Plus, Joe's timeline with what he wants to get done at quarterback matched up well with them."

Dailey started all 11 games last season at Nebraska as a second-year sophomore as the Huskers finished with a 5-6 record. NCAA rules require him to sit out the 2005 season. He'll then have two years of eligibility remaining.

North Carolina loses four-year QB starter Darian Durant. The leading candidate to replace Durant is senior-to-be Matt Baker.

The Tar Heels use a spread offense that is multiple in nature, Dailey said.

"It doesn't have just one strength," Dailey said. "It's structured around the talent they have on hand and whatever defense they're playing."

The 6-foot, 205-pound Dailey announced his plans to transfer April 18, two days after Nebraska's annual Red-White spring game. He began the spring as the Huskers' No. 1 quarterback, lost his job to junior college transfer Zac Taylor and was demoted to fourth string.

Last season, Dailey completed 49.4 percent of his passes for 2,025 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 19 interceptions.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.