UNC Football Signs 27 Players to 2024 Recruiting Class

Twenty-seven UNC football recruits signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday and officially inked themselves as Tar Heels. 247 Sports ranks Carolina’s incoming class at No. 25 in the nation and fourth among ACC schools, trailing only Florida State, Miami and Clemson.

“Signing day is always very special,” said head coach Mack Brown. “What an unbelievable day for these young guys. It changes their lives.”

Here’s a look at some of the most notable prospects to sign with Brown and the Tar Heels:

DB Jaiden Patterson (Hoschton, GA)

Image via 247 Sports

A four-star recruit from Georgia, Patterson arrives in Chapel Hill as the highest-ranked recruit in the Tar Heels’ 2024 class. 247 Sports ranks Patterson as the 172nd overall player nationwide and the 20th-best prospect from Georgia. He chose UNC over offers from Vanderbilt, Duke and Wake Forest, among others. Also a track athlete, Patterson holds his school record in the 200-meter spring at 21.6 seconds.

“What we love about this guys is he’s got length and speed, and ability to go up and high-point the ball,” said UNC general manager Pat Suddes. “And he knows what to do with it, with his speed.”

DB Malcolm Ziglar (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.)

Image via 247 Sports

Ziglar is the highest-rated recruit from North Carolina to sign with the Tar Heels. 247 Sports ranks him as the sixth-best in-state prospect and the No. 16 safety in the country. Ziglar chose Carolina over offers from Notre Dame and South Carolina.

Ziglar’s connections to Chapel Hill run deep, as evidenced by his commitment video. In it, a young Malcolm and his family are honored at Kenan Stadium in 2013, before being surprised by their father – who was serving in the Navy – and reuniting on the field.

Committed!! @CoachMackBrown @CoachGeneChizik @CoachCwarren pic.twitter.com/A301q24FIg

— Malcolm Ziglar (@malcolmziglar) July 17, 2023

“[Chapel Hill] has a special place in my heart,” Ziglar said. “Being able to come here and actually play on that field feels great.”

WR Jordan Shipp (Charlotte, N.C.)

Image via 247 Sports

Shipp is the No. 8 prospect in North Carolina, according to 247 Sports, as well as the No. 212 overall prospect in the country. Shipp chose UNC over offers from both Michigan and NC State and will look to become the next great Tar Heel pass-catcher.

“My end goal is to get to the league,” Shipp said, “so I know this is one of the best places where I can do that. The offense, I fit in perfectly.”

DB Tyrane Stewart (North Osyka, MS)

Image via East Mississippi Community College

Stewart comes to Carolina via the junior college route. Stewart spent the last two seasons at East Mississippi Community College, and committed to the Tar Heels late due to his team competing in postseason play. Stewart also held an offer from NC State.

“What we love about this kid is his length,” said Suddes. “Another guy with good ball skills… academics is extremely important to him. We just love his demeanor and the way he plays ball.”

OL Andrew Rosinski (Canton, GA)

Image via Andrew Rosinski

Rosinski is the highest-rated lineman on either side of the ball in the 2024 class to sign with the Tar Heels. Rosinski stands at six feet, six inches and is ranked as the No. 194 overall prospect and No. 18 offensive tackle by 247 Sports. He chose Carolina over offers from several other schools, including Duke and Georgia Tech.

“He’s got great feet, great bend,” Suddes said. “The ability to roll his hips, drive guys off the ball and then dump them… he’s another guy that really loves ball.”

WR Alex Taylor (Greensboro, N.C.)

Image via 247 Sports/Michael Clark

Taylor comes to Carolina from in-state powerhouse Grimsley High School in Greensboro. Taylor won a state title with the Whirlies two seasons ago while playing with defensive lineman Travis Shaw, who is in his sophomore season with the Tar Heels. Rated as the No. 12 player in the state by 247 Sports, Taylor committed to UNC over offers from NC State, Penn State and Virginia Tech.

“I can make 50-50 balls 80-20,” Taylor said. “[I can] break little catches into big runs.”

QB Michael Merdinger (Parkland, FL)

Image via 247 Sports/Andrew Ivins

A three-star recruit rated as the No. 69 quarterback in his class, Merdinger comes to Carolina over offers from Georgia Tech, Minnesota and Appalachian State. Merdinger threw for 2,850 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Florida, both of which rank in the top five single-season marks in program history.

“He’s a guy that has tremendous upside,” Suddes said. “We’re really high on this kid.”

UNC Football Class of 2023

DE Daniel Anderson*, OL Aidan Banfield*, LB Evan Bennett, DB Khalil Conley*, DB Zion Ferguson*, RB Davion Gause*, WR Javarius “Vari” Green*, OL Desmond Jackson*, DL Leroy Jackson, LB Crews Law, TE Timmy Lawson*, OL Luke Masterson, QB Michael Merdinger*, OL Jani Norwood*, K Lucas Osada, DB Jaiden Patterson*, DL Peter Pesansky, OL Andrew Rosinski*, WR Jordan Shipp*, DE Curtis Simpson*, DB Tyrane Stewart, WR Alex Taylor*, DB Jalon Thompson*, TE Ryan Ward*, DB Ty White*, LB Ashton Woods*, DB Malcolm Ziglar*

* – indicates early enrollee

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

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