Recap: This is quite possibly UNC's best football recruiting class ever; at least their best in the modern era of college football (what I consider to be post 1970). The Heels landed the number eight class in the country as Butch Davis continues to leave his mark on the UNC football program and their recruiting prowess. North Carolina is a "brand" nationwide, certainly more so in basketball than football, but it definitely does not hurt in football if the right coach is in place. Davis appears to be that guy, at least in terms of capitalizing on UNC's recruiting potential, as he landed a class that can contend with pretty much any other class signed nationally this year.
Offense: UNC had great receivers last year in Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate. Tate used his last year of eligibility this past fall and Nicks left after his junior season (this past season) to enter the NFL draft. With their top two receivers gone and only Greg Little returning with anything resembling experience, wide receiver became a priority area for the Heels. Davis did not disappoint in this area. UNC signed four wide receivers in this class, headlined by Jheranie Boyd. Boyd was highly coveted nationally as rivals.com considered him to be the third best wide receiver in the 2009 high school senior class. Blessed with natural size (6'2") and great speed (4.45 40 yd. dash), Boyd should have a chance to make an instant impact for Carolina. Davis also inked a commitment from Joshua Adams, another four star receiver according to rivals.com. Adams is more of a possession guy at 6'4" but is pretty quick and was a great get for the Heels wide receiver corps. Davis and his staff also landed Bryn Renner, a pro-style QB out of Virginia. He is ranked on rivals.com as the number five QB in the country. Along the offensive line, UNC signed Brennan WIlliams, a highly coveted 4 star offensive lineman ranked as the number 13 tackle in the country.
Defense: Davis and his staff are recruiting defensive speed much the same way he did at Miami (or at least trying to). The defensive signings for the Heels this year are led by five star defensive end Donte Moss. Moss picked the Heels over Florida, Clemson, and Virginia Tech among others. He is ranked as the number two defensive end on rivals.com. Butch Davis was able to keep this blue-chip prospect in-state. The Tar Heels also singed three four star linebackers in Hawatha Bell, Justin Dixon, and Kevin Reddick. Dixon ranks as the number nine ILB in the class, Bell the number 14 ILB, and Reddick is entering from Hargrave Military Academy. The Heels also were able to land four star DT Jared McAdoo from Chapel Hill High School. McAdoo is 6'2" and 285 lbs. entering college and ranked on rivals.com as the number 12 DT in the country. The Heels were able to land him in a heated area recruiting battle with NC State and South Carolina among others.
UNC signed what is perhaps their best football signing class in history this year and should continue to help Davis turn the UNC football program around and make it a perennial ACC contender. The only thing to worry about for UNC fans is the revolving door of assistant coaches that has been in Chapel Hill the past couple of years. UNC has lost three assistant coaches this offseason and this could hurt recruiting in the future. Staff continuity is huge in college football as far as building a program is concerned and North Carolina has not been able to keep anything close to a constant staff together in Davis' two years at Carolina. Other than this, things (and talent) are looking up in Chapel Hill.
Defense: Davis and his staff are recruiting defensive speed much the same way he did at Miami (or at least trying to). The defensive signings for the Heels this year are led by five star defensive end Donte Moss. Moss picked the Heels over Florida, Clemson, and Virginia Tech among others. He is ranked as the number two defensive end on rivals.com. Butch Davis was able to keep this blue-chip prospect in-state. The Tar Heels also singed three four star linebackers in Hawatha Bell, Justin Dixon, and Kevin Reddick. Dixon ranks as the number nine ILB in the class, Bell the number 14 ILB, and Reddick is entering from Hargrave Military Academy. The Heels also were able to land four star DT Jared McAdoo from Chapel Hill High School. McAdoo is 6'2" and 285 lbs. entering college and ranked on rivals.com as the number 12 DT in the country. The Heels were able to land him in a heated area recruiting battle with NC State and South Carolina among others.
UNC signed what is perhaps their best football signing class in history this year and should continue to help Davis turn the UNC football program around and make it a perennial ACC contender. The only thing to worry about for UNC fans is the revolving door of assistant coaches that has been in Chapel Hill the past couple of years. UNC has lost three assistant coaches this offseason and this could hurt recruiting in the future. Staff continuity is huge in college football as far as building a program is concerned and North Carolina has not been able to keep anything close to a constant staff together in Davis' two years at Carolina. Other than this, things (and talent) are looking up in Chapel Hill.
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