Mack Brown’s third recruiting class bodes beautifully for the future.
Even if the Tar Heels go to the Orange Bowl and win it, the excitement is already building for the 2021 season, when Brown’s three-year redo of the program will rightfully say its goals include the ACC championship and spot in the College Football Playoff.
Brown unveiled his third recruiting class since returning to Carolina, and its trajectory is following his team that won seven games last season and eight or nine this fall. Recruiting gurus have ranked UNC’s new freshman class among the top 10 or top 15, and the specimens Brown introduced by Zoom Wednesday afternoon seem to fit the needs precisely.
Of the 18 signees so far, nine are joining a defense that showed steady improvement this season as its underclassmen grew up. There are three “about 6 feet” defensive backs who according to Brown can all fly and have good hands to increase the take-aways lacking in 2020.
Four are linebackers who all check in around 210 pounds but will add muscle before they ever play a game. After all, someone has to replace seniors Chazz Surratt, Tomon Fox and Tyrone Hopper. “They all love to hit,” Brown said, previewing his new LBs.
The two defensive linemen are both 6-foot-5 and at least 275 pounds before they, too, get into the weight room. And they are not the biggest of the new Carolina class.
Those are behemoth offensive linemen 6-foot-5 Diego (300) Pounds and 6-6½ Eli Sutton, who is 285 pounds and whose dad is a strength coach. They will both give the Tar Heels needed depth up front.
Three touted wide receivers and one 6-5 tight end join Dyami Brown and cadre of pass catchers expected to return. Mack Brown compared the physiques of his two new running backs to junior Javonte Williams who is likely to be in the NFL next year along with senior Michael Carter.
And then there’s the 5-star quarterback who hails from Carolina royalty. Drake Maye is 6-5 with apparently the arm of father Mark and work ethic of brother Luke, both of whom stayed all four years at UNC and graduated on time. Phil Longo will fully prepare Drake to back up super Sam Howell next fall, and the cagey head coach may use him in the minimum number of games that will preserve a red-shirt season for after Howell is gone.
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
