College football wrapped up its Early Signing Day window last week (championship week, no distractions for some of the programs there). For most programs, this concludes the high school portion of recruiting,
despite the “official” signing day in February. The January portal season looms.
In late September, Tar Heel GM Michael Lombardi sent out an email to prominent boosters. This reportedly 1300-word missive sadly reported that the roster was left in such a shambles by Mack Brown that Lombardi would require two more cycles of recruiting to fix it. That effort would include a massive class this year, up to 40 recruits, to start the long and difficult path back up the mountain towards an ACC title.
Comically, Lombardi’s plea used Sam Hinkie’s stink (meant to type stint, thought about it, decided this works better) as GM for the Philadelphia 76ers as a framing device. Hinkie infamously tanked season after season to acquire better lottery positioning for his team. Those extra lottery balls never translated into a trip to the NBA finals, much less a title. In addition to the regrettable analogy, Lombardi also left out any explanation why it required 10 months for the self-proclaimed Gridiron Genius to figure out the roster (which he built by importing 70 players!) might be so subpar.
So, this class is the first step towards gridiron glory outlined in that email. The class ranks 12th in ESPN’s rankings, boosted by the sheer volume of commitments. On3, which caps the number of players evaluated for its rankings, rates the class 18th. The class boasts in total 39 signees.
Let’s start up front with the offensive line. Last season, Lombardi and Belichick seemed to suggest an emphasis on allocating resources to an offensive line that could control ball games, bringing in experienced starters and reserves. Hence, the six highest in snap count were one-year rentals — players in their last year of eligibility. Four more reserves have announced intent to transfer. That’s 10 departures and most of the snaps from the unit.
Short version: the offensive line for next season requires a complete rebuild. That’s a yikes.
Offensive Line Recruits
Offensive line is the hardest position in college football for freshmen to contribute immediately. Freshmen OL rarely play meaningful snaps during a season, especially stepping into a complete rebuild like this. They’re transitioning from being the oldest, biggest, and meanest guys on the field to the youngest, least physically mature, and least experienced. The realistic goal for these six will be to develop alongside each other into an effective starting five over the next two to three seasons, provided all of them make the leap to P4 football and don’t transfer.
Short version: portal season will likely need 5 true starters. Again: yikes.
Skill Position Recruits
QB Room:
Travis Burgess made a significant leap up the rankings after committing to UNC between his junior and senior years due to performance in the Elite 11 circuit. An injury early in his final high school season sidelined him. He brings the height and length Lombardi values in a quarterback. Max Johnson has announced his intention to transfer; yes, he still has eligibility for a 7th season, apparently. Gio Lopez broke his leg against NC State and will be healing from that well into the spring. All signs point to an effort to land a starting QB in the portal while Burgess, Au’Tori Newkirk, and Bryce Baker continue to develop (or transfer).
Running Backs:
Crew Davis had no other P4 offers, choosing UNC over Fordham, Army, Buffalo and UNLV. Davion Gause has announced his transfer. At this point, the running back room looks like Demon June, Benjamin Hall, and Jalen McGill, based on snap counts from the 2025 season. All signs point to effort to find a difference-making running back in the portal.
Wide Receivers:
Chapman and Sadler rank as two of the three highest-rated UNC recruits this year. Chapman fits the mold of the tall vertical threat who can win jump balls. He accepted UNC’s offer over Georgia Tech, Florida State, Arkansas, and Colorado. Sadler projects as a slot receiver, although his recruiting designation as “athlete” typically indicates a raw ability in need of a lot of work on route running and other tools of the receiver craft. Colorado and Maryland were the main competition for his services.
Jordan Shipp currently has announced neither a return nor transfer. Kobe Paysour seems to be petitioning for an additional year of eligibility (hopefully using long-time Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s lawyer). Chris Culliver, Javarious Green, Jason Roberts, Paul Billups, and Aziah Johnson are all transferring. Madrid Tucker, Shanard Clower, Alex Taylor, and Nathan Leacock — at this time — appear to be staying. If Shipp returns, the wide receiver room looks to have depth, if not a lot of experience.
Tight End:
Caron Sneed flipped his commitment from Tennessee to UNC. Given my previously stated dislike for all things orange, I like this kid already. Sneed picked UNC over multiple SEC offers, including Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. A tight end who can both block inline and catch contested balls, Sneed’s skillset is more valuable than his recruiting stars would suggest.
Rashad is more of a hybrid player who can line up as a wide receiver. Jake Johnson has announced his transfer, and Jordan Owens has announced for the draft. Connor Cox and Shamar Easter both received snaps last season and have remaining eligibility. Given Lombardi’s stated hopes to run multiple tight end formations, the portal will likely have to yield a starter or two here as well.
Special Teams:
Adam McCann-Gibbs punts. He hails from Northern Ireland, and spent last season at IMG Academy. ESPN rates him the 11th best punter available in this recruiting cycle. Placekicker David Green hails from High Point, NC, and ESPN rates him as the 4th best field goal kicker in this year’s recruiting class. Wonder if the extra playing time offered by the UNC offense this season (whether punting or settling for field goals) had any impact on these two commitments?
Tomorrow, we will review the defense and where the Tar Heel football brain trust might go portal shopping.
