Despite a poor year on the field, Larry Fedora and UNC are putting the finishing touches on a talented recruiting class. Part of that success can be attributed to the collection of players that the Tar Heels signed on offense, which will help the team rebound in the 2018 season and build for the future.
We have compiled scouting reports on every offensive player that Carolina has signed this year. As more recruits continue to commit and sign letters of intent, we will update this story.
Already enrolled
- 4-star ATH Dyami Brown (6-1, 180) –
A jack-of-all-trades, Brown did a little bit of everything for his high school team. He lined up as a wildcat quarterback and played safety on defense. But he did the majority of his work at receiver, which is where Brown will line up for Carolina. Brown has great speed and was timed at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. He is consistently able to run past high school competition, often a good start-stop ability with double moves. When the ball is in the air, Brown is good at being able to bring it down, often times with defenders draped around him. One area he can work on is route running, which is good considering he is an early enrollee. Look for Brown to contribute on special teams as a freshman as he learns the playbook and the nuances of being a college receiver.
Other offers: Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Michigan and Ohio State
- 4-star QB Jace Ruder (6-1, 203) –
Despite playing poor competition in Kansas, Ruder has all the tools that you’re looking for in a college quarterback. He is very mobile for his size and is able to maneuver in the pocket to extend the play. On the run, he doesn’t have great speed but can still pick up chunks of yards when necessary. Ruder has a good arm and shows the ability to stretch the field vertically on film. Unfortunately, his receivers didn’t do him any favors and great passes from Ruder were often dropped. As an early enrollee, the competition level will be the biggest adjustment for him, going from playing against no-stars in Kansas to Divison-1 athletes. Don’t expect Ruder to play early, but look for him to push for the job as a redshirt freshman or sophomore.
Other offers: Florida State, Georgia and Penn State
- 3-star QB Cade Fortin (6-2, 207) –
A longtime Texas A&M commit, Ruder flipped to UNC shortly after the Aggies fired Kevin Sumlin. Fortin played high school ball in Georgia’s 6A classification, the state’s toughest division. He is a prototypical pocket passer, able to manipulate defenses with his eyes and arm. Fortin has a good arm and his film shows him hitting intermediate and deep passes on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, Fortin suffered a broken leg two games into his senior season, but has enrolled early at Carolina and is already rehabbing with a college strength and conditioning program. Much like fellow QB commit Jace Ruder, Fortin is not a player expected to contribute early, especially since he’s coming off of a broken leg. Expect 2018 to be a redshirt year for the Georgia native.
Other offers: Texas A&M, Kentucky, Louisville and Oklahoma State
- 3-star RB Javonte Williams (5-11, 202) –
As a high school recruit, Williams did not get much attention. In fact, North Carolina was the only school to offer him. As a senior, Williams scored more than 30 touchdowns as he led his school to a state championship. Despite being listed at 5-11, 202-pounds, Williams runs like he’s thirty pounds heavier. It is tough to bring him down in the open field and defenders are constantly bouncing off of him. Williams doesn’t have great speed, but he is fast enough to finish a long run. He is also a nasty blocker on special teams, which will make coaches happy early in his career. Look for Williams to be a key special teams contributor early.
Other offers: N/A
Signed
- 4-star WR Jordyn Adams (6-1, 180) –
A star on the football field and the baseball diamond, Adams is one of the highest ranked recruits that Carolina has signed in some time. At 6-1, 180-pounds, Adams is a polished route runner who is agile after the catch. He doesn’t possess elite speed, but enough to make a man miss and hit the open field. In the return game, Adams is great at setting up blocks and patiently waiting for holes to open. A testament to his athletic ability, Adams was invited to both the Army All-American football game and Under Armour All-American baseball game. Despite not being an early enrollee, Adams should push for playing time immediately. He will also play baseball for Carolina as well.
Other offers: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, South Carolina and TCU
- 4-star OG Avery Jones (6-4, 285) –
Despite playing along both the offensive and defensive lines for his high school, Jones projects as an interior offensive linemen at the college level (guard or center). He has great size at 6-4, 275-pounds with the frame to add more muscle. At the high school level, Jones is a punishing blocker, able to pull and neutralize a defender fairly quickly. His film along the defensive line shows a powerful athlete with good burst as well. Like most offensive linemen, Jones will need time to develop, add good weight and learn the blocking schemes.
Other offers: Duke, Maryland, NC State, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech
- 3-star RB Devon Lawrence (5-11, 190) –
The younger brother of current Clemson star Dexter Lawrence, Devon is a good player in his own right. Listed at 5-11, 190-pounds, Lawrence runs with good power and has the ability to juke a defender while keeping his momentum going. He isn’t a burner with a 4.79 40-yard dash, but runs faster on film and is able to beat defenders to the edge. At Carolina, Williams should be able to push for playing time in the running back rotation as a freshman despite not enrolling early.
Other offers: Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and UCLA
- 3-star OT Joshua Ezeudu (6-4, 295) –
In high school, Ezeudu dominated his competition. At 6-4, 295-pounds, he played left tackle for his high school but could play any position along the offensive line at the next level. He stonewalled pass rushers at left tackle, but also showed the ability to get into open space and pick up defenders in the run game. Ezeudu was also recruited by Ivy League schools like Princeton and Yale. Expect to see Ezeudu get a redshirt and sit for a year or two as he develops.
Other offers: Louisville, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Purdue, Virginia and West Virginia
- 4-star OT William Barnes (6-4, 325)
The top-ranked recruit in UNC’s class committed on National Signing Day. Barnes a massive player at 6-4, 325-pounds, but is refined enough as a player to contribute right away along the offensive line. A participant in the Army All-American Game, Barnes is listed as an offensive tackle, but could play any position along the offensive line. While most linemen need time to hit the weight room and learn the system, Barnes should be able to push for playing time right away.
Other offers: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Ole Miss
- 3-star OG Ed Montilus (6-2, 288-pounds)
Hailing from the same high school as William Barnes, Montilus is more of a project than his teammate. At 6-2, 288-pounds, Montilus projects as an interior lineman at the next level, either at guard or center. He is a powerful player, able to move defenders off the ball with ease. From his film, it looks like he will need to develop as a pass blocker but UNC will give him time to develop. Look for Montilus to take a redshirt year and pair up with his high school teammate along UNC’s line in the future.
Other offer: Auburn, Miami, Florida and Ole Miss
- 4-star WR Antoine Green (6-3, 185)
The final recruit that Carolina expects to sign today is Green, a talented receiver from Florida. Green is very athletic, having run a 4.50 40-yard dash despite being 6-3. His film shows him repeatedly running away from high school competition and out-jumping his opponents for contested catches. If he can work on his route running and concentration in traffic, he will be a stud for Carolina. The Tar Heels have signed a talented receiver group so don’t be surprised if he, along with Adams and Brown, see early playing time.
Other offers: Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State
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