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.

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