Linebacker Sebastian Cheeks, one of the highest-rated recruits in head coach Mack Brown’s loaded 2022 class, is being honored as a high school All-American. With the award, Cheeks will be able to play in the annual All-American Bowl, which will take place January 8, 2022 in San Antonio, TX.

At the time of its inception in 2000, the All-American Bowl was the only high school football “All-Star Game” in the country. In the 20 years since then, almost 500 All-American Bowl alumni have gone on to play in the NFL.

“Honestly, it is something that high school ball players dream of,” Cheeks told 247 Sports. “I just take it with a great honor. To see the All-Americans that came before who paved their way to be successful at the next level, it’s nice to know they were once in my shoes. I am looking to have fun and gain as much knowledge on and off the field with elite level coaches.”

Cheeks, from Evanston, IL, is rated by 247 Sports as No. 16 player from the state of Illinois and the No. 137 player overall in the class. He committed to Carolina in July, and is currently the third-ranked player in UNC’s 2022 class, behind defensive lineman Travis Shaw and running back George Pettaway. Cheeks told 247 Sports he plans to enroll early at Carolina immediately following the All-American Bowl.

“I expect to come in, work and earn my spot just like I’ve been doing since I started playing this game,” he said.

247 Sports describes Cheeks as an “explosive, athletic linebacker” with “speed off the snap.” When Cheeks arrives on campus, he will join a UNC linebacker group that loses senior leader Jeremiah Gemmel, but still features Eugene Asante and highly-touted freshman RaRa Dillworth.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Football Commit Omarion Hampton Named NC Player of the Year
UNC head coach Mack Brown has plenty to be excited about with his Class of 2022 recruits. Omarion Hampton, a four-star running back and Carolina commit from Clayton, N.C., was named the Gatorade North Carolina Football Player of the Year Tuesday. Just In: Cleveland RB Omarion Hampton, a UNC commit, named NC Gatorade Player of […]
Four-Star Receiver Andre Greene, Jr. Commits to UNC Football
Mack Brown has already re-written the UNC football record book with his 2022 recruiting class. But even after nabbing two five-star recruits, he wasn’t done. Wednesday night saw four-star wide receiver prospect Andre Greene, Jr. commit to Brown and the Tar Heels over finalists Georgia and Clemson. #BREAKING: 4⭐️ wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. has […]
Five-Star OL Zach Rice Commits to UNC Football; Second Top 10 Recruit in 2022 Class
One of the strongest recruiting classes in the history of the UNC football program just got a major boost. Five-star offensive lineman Zach Rice, rated by 247 Sports as the best high school offensive lineman in the country and the No. 7 player overall, committed to head coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels Thursday […]
Four-Star Running Back George Pettaway Commits to UNC Football
Mack Brown has yet another massive win on the recruiting trail. Four-star running back and longtime UNC target George Pettaway committed to Brown and the Tar Heels Wednesday night, adding another piece to Carolina’s loaded 2022 recruiting class. He chose Carolina over finalists Penn State, Florida and Oregon. BREAKING: Four-Star RB George Pettaway has Committed […]
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: The Flea Flicker
Chapelboro's very own Curran Campbell remembers the electric opening stages of UNC's game against Duke at Kenan Stadium in 2015.
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: UConn
UNC will make a rare road trip up to New England when it visits UConn Saturday. The Huskies enter the game with a 4-4 record, having dropped their last game on the road at Air Force. UConn is an independent and thus does not play any conference games. Jason Candle is in his first season […]
UNC's Billy Edwards Named ACC Quarterback of the Week
After lighting up the scoreboard in the Tar Heels’ 38-35 loss against No. 1 Miami at Kenan Stadium Saturday night, UNC’s Billy Edwards was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week. Billy Edwards is your ACC Quarterback of the Week 💪 pic.twitter.com/LdhxhJSjuO — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 2, 2026 Edwards put together one of the […]
This Week in UNC Sports: November 2-8, 2026
Election? What election? A busy fall for Tar Heel sports rolls on as several teams begin ACC Tournament play this week.
Even After Taking No. 1 Down to the Wire, the 24-Hour Rule Still Applies for UNC Football
UNC did not want to discuss moral victories following its gallant upset bid against No. 1 Miami Saturday night.
Late Fumble Dooms UNC Football in Loss vs. No. 1 Miami
A Billy Edwards fumble in the game’s final minute proved to be the game’s deciding play as No. 1 Miami survived an upset bid from UNC to win 38-35 in Kenan Stadium Saturday night. Carolina is still searching for its first-ever win against a top-ranked team, falling to 0-12 overall. “It sucks,” an emotional Edwards […]
›