The early signing period for incoming first-year college football players arrived on Wednesday. Head coach Mack Brown and the UNC football program are prepared to welcome one of the top recruiting classes in the country to Chapel Hill for next season.

The Tar Heels have officially signed 18 players, with more possibly to come throughout the day. Of those 18 recruits, 14 hail from inside the state of North Carolina.

As players sign their National Letters of Intent, this tracker will help keep you updated with everything you need to know about UNC’s incoming class.

All rankings are according to those published by 24/7Sports.

Signed Letters of Intent:

DL Keeshawn Silver (Rocky Mount HS/Rocky Mount, NC)– five-star recruit ranked as the No. 5 defensive lineman and No. 32 player overall. Listed at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds.

“Probably his expertise was being a pass rusher in high school.” — Mack Brown

 

LB RaRa Dillworth (Glenn HS/Kernersville, NC)– four-star prospect ranked No. 6 at linebacker and No. 99 overall. Listed at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds.

“He can fly. He ran 4.4-something at some of the camps. Very physical player.” — Mack Brown

 

LB Power Echols (Vance HS/Charlotte, NC)– four-star recruit ranked as the No. 7 linebacker and the No. 126 ranked player regardless of position. Listed at 6-foot-1, 206 pounds.

“Really quick, very good instincts and will hit you.” — Mack Brown

 

RB Caleb Hood (Richmond HS/Rockingham, NC)– three-star prospect ranked No. 49 at his position and No. 688 overall. Listed at 6-foot-1, 231 pounds.

“I actually recruited his dad, Errol, here.” — Mack Brown

 

LB Trevion Stevenson (Phoebus HS/Hampton, VA)– three-star recruit ranked as the No. 94 linebacker in the country. Listed at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds.

“Another avid weightlifter. Grew up loving North Carolina.” — Mack Brown

 

QB Drake Maye (Myers Park HS/Charlotte, NC)– four-star recruit ranked as the No. 6 quarterback in the country and No. 57 overall. Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. He is the brother of former UNC basketball star Luke Maye.

“His dad played here, his brother played basketball here. His dad was actually a GA for me, when we were here the first time.” — Mack Brown

 

RB Kamarro Edmonds (Havelock HS/Havelock, NC)– four-star prospect ranked as the No. 13 running back and No. 247 overall. Listed at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds.

“He’s a big powerful guy that’s really fast. Good instincts and vision. The two big backs here remind you of [Javonte Williams] some.”  — Mack Brown

 

S Dontavius Nash (Hunter Huss HS/Gastonia, NC)– four-star prospect ranked as the No. 18 safety and No. 278 player regardless of position. Listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds.

“He will play in the secondary, he’s most likely a corner for us. He was our first commitment.” — Mack Brown

 

OT Diego Pounds (Millbrook HS/Raleigh, NC)– three-star prospect ranked as the No. 42 offensive tackle and No. 472 player regardless of position. Listed at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds.

“We’re looking for those young offensive lineman. He can run and he’s really, really big and athletic.” — Mack Brown

 

ATH DeAndre Boykins (Central Cabarrus HS/Concord, NC)– four-star recruit ranked No. 6 at his position and No. 175 overall. Listed at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds.

“He’s a weightlifter, he’s really strong.” — Mack Brown

 

WR Kobe Paysour (Gaffney HS/Gaffney, SC)– three-star wide receiver ranked as the No. 69 player at the position and No. 441 overall. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Attended same high school as former UNC star receiver Quinshad Davis.

“It’s easy to talk to receivers and running backs with the way our offense has been this fall.” — Mack Brown

 

DE Jahvaree Ritzie (Glenn HS/Kernersville, NC)– four-star prospect ranked as the No. 11 defensive end and the No. 143 player in the country. Listed at 6-foot-5, 274 pounds.

“He ran cross country. His mom’s a track coach.” — Mack Brown

 

WR Gavin Blackwell (Sun Valley HS/Monroe, NC)– four-star prospect ranked as the No. 36 receiver in the country and No. 205 regardless of position. The high school teammate of current UNC quarterback Sam Howell, he is listed at 5-foot-11.5 and 164 pounds.

“He’ll be playing the slot where Dazz Newsome plays now.” — Mack Brown

 

ATH Gabe Stephens (Mountain Island Charter/Mount Holly, NC)– four-star recruit ranked No. 11 at his position and No. 227 overall. Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.

“A lot of these guys are basketball players. You love to sign basketball players because they can run and jump.” — Mack Brown

 

OT Eli Sutton (Brentwood Academy/Brentwood, TN)– four-star recruit ranked No. 20 at his position and No. 254 overall. Listed at 6-foot-7, 285 pounds.

“His dad is the strength coach there. Big, physical tackle.” — Mack Brown

 

TE Bryson Nesbit (South Mecklenburg HS/Charlotte, NC)– four-star recruit ranked as the No. 13 tight end and No. 341 player overall. Listed at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds.

“We liked him because he’s a really good basketball player. He’s got heigh, he’s got length.” — Mack Brown

 

WR J.J. Jones (Myrtle Beach HS/Myrtle Beach, SC)– three-star prospect ranked as the No. 66 player at his position and No. 399 overall. Listed at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds.

“He’s got the real length that you love at wide receiver. He’s trying to make a decision whether to come in early or not, he’s playing basketball.” – Mack Brown

ATH Tymir Brown (Jacksonville HS/Jacksonville, NC)– three-star prospect ranked as the No. 31 player at his position and No. 482 overall. Listed at 5-foot-11, 169 pounds.

“He’s got really good hands. He can really run.” — Mack Brown

 

 

Photo via ACC Media.

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 Signs 20 Players to 2023 Recruiting Class
Mondays With Mack: National Signing Day and Preparing for the Duke's Mayo Bowl
Chansky's Notebook: Brand Recognition
Mack Brown's Goal of 'Recruiting Wall' Around North Carolina Starting to Pay Off