Numbers
This is what I've been able to gather. UNC sources do not know for certain how many the class will finish with but the best guess at the moment is 22. Trying to predict the finished product by the numbers is always dicey because attrition, who you like and would take, etc., all factors in. None of that is known at the moment. If it's more or less, it won't be too much more or less than the 22 number I just gave you.
They would like to take a running back. If they can find a receiver they love, then they'll take a receiver they love. If they can get an offensive lineman they really want to squeeze in, and from what I gather Kapilovic would love to squeeze Leota in, then they won't hesitate.
BIG misconceptions!
1) UNC is not in dire straits at DT. Without going into too many details here, I am very confident that the numbers at defensive tackle will ultimately be more favorable than the near universal consensus has been that they are. Not going to pinpoint specific players that could move to defensive tackle, but there's more than one, already in the program now, that have absolutely all the physical tools and prerequisites to play on the interior.
I now think a lot of the talk about defensive tackle being a disaster area is being laughed off, and not defiantly -- genuinely. People very close and in the program do not see the numbers there as a lot of fans are seeing them. That disconnect is real.
2) DE is still a coveted position in the '16 class.
3) The target number at linebacker is smaller than many believe. There has been talk here and elsewhere that UNC could take upwards of five linebackers. It's been a common assumption that they will at least take four and five if they like the guys. I've even speculated that's possible.
I learned recently that UNC could very well take just three linebackers in the 2016 class. They want help across the board so don't be surprised if they take a Sam, a Will and a Mike to balance the depth chart and the roster. That's three total, including Dominique Ross, who is already on board.
Maybe some of you found some of the above info as paradigm-changing as I did. It was definitely a surprise to me on a couple of points. But I'm very confident that information is correct. Now, they could still conceivably take four linebackers. You always have to be flexible. But under the current working assumption of 22 as the total goal for the class and the partitioning of scholarships by position as it stands, three is the most likely scenario. More on that soon.
Which commitments should you be really, really excited about?
The quarterbacks are both rated four stars and they're both very intriguing, high ceiling prospects. But I can tell you that I get the impression that some of the three stars ranked lower than them, though they have a little less hype, may even be more highly regarded. Quarterbacks' value skyrockets and rightfully so. They touch the ball every play. But given UNC's depth chart situation and the fact that the program really isn't having a hard time getting touted quarterbacks into the system, relative to their positions I think some players have a higher ceiling than Chazz Surratt and Logan Byrd. That is only my opinion, and not that of any source.
First, I think Gregory Ross is someone that a lot of people are sleeping on. He's right around 6-feet and I'm told that his speed is absolutely reliable. There aren't many 4.4 outliers when he runs the 40 but there aren't many (if any) 4.6 outliers.
Beyond that, while he's under 170 pounds (to my knowledge, as of today), Ross is actually an extremely physical cornerback. He will knock a receiver off his route time and again and dominates the first five yards off the ball. I have it from one source that Ross went up against Divine Deablo (a player UNC's coaches really like, mind you) and (my word here) somewhat manhandled him. He tosses guys around but he's intelligent so he's not a walking flag waiting to happen.
Ross was probably the No. 1 cornerback on their board and folks are ecstatic that he's going to be a Tar Heel. He's also very long and aside from working the receiver at the line, he delivers massive body blows like an imposing safety, although he's a corner.
The staff has had a chance to watch Ross work extensively and against some of their top receiver targets in this class and other classes. He has risen the every challenge and the more they see, the more they love him. I wouldn't be shocked if he's the player with the highest ceiling in the class, although that's somewhat of an unconventional, outside the box choice.
I could say the same thing about the way insiders feel about Tomon Fox. We hyped his commitment up pretty good and for a reason. He is a pass rusher extraordinaire. Strictly as a pass rusher, a pin your ears back and get after it kid, he's one of the best in the class. Now, if he were two inches and 20 pounds more, he'd probably be a five star. He's got specialties (just mentioned) and things he can improve on. But UNC wants pass rushers and Fox was one that they wanted very, very badly.
I'm told that when he went to the University of Georgia he absolutely wore out UGA offensive line commit Ben Cleveland. Could not keep up with him one bit. Ran circles around him and threw his weight around in spite of the huge weight disadvantage. Kept him off balance and was relentless. He turned in, reportedly per my sources, a tremendous camp performance at Notre Dame, wowing onlookers there. He's a kid that had Auburn, Tennessee and Notre Dame offers with more that surely would have come. Elite level pass rusher.
Expect two more defensive backs
UNC has commitments from Javontay Smith and Gregory Ross in the secondary. Tar Heels that matter in decision making roles feel fantastic about those players. With the news that recent commit Korey Banks is a receiver, that leaves two spots open for defensive backs. There could be a little wiggle room one way or another there, but that's the vibe I'm getting.
First, I am told not to write off Virginia Tech commit Troy Pride. Don't write him off. He's gone underground a bit and doesn't want to publicly muse on this and create a lot of day to day drama (i.e. headaches), but I'm getting the sense that he's starting to take a closer look at what the Hokies' depth chart is going to look like and that's giving some traction to North Carolina and Notre Dame, the two main contenders standing in line for a potential flip. And there is the potential for that. I believe he's right there neck and neck or maybe slightly behind Gregory Ross on the board.
Pride's also a fantastic student and has a lot of interest in the prestige that comes with a UNC degree. The same is true as a reason for his interest in Notre Dame -- no knock on the Hokies. Working in Frank Beamer's favor? Tech carries enormous clout with defensive backs. It's a "destination job" for defensive back recruits.
If I had to guess, based on what I'm hearing, I'd say UNC would love to mount a late successful charge with Myles Dorn. They still like the Charlotte safety a lot. It's just a really bad beat that his brother transferred to play basketball at NC State and that really seems to have shaken up the dynamics of his recruitment. Strange situation. Parents went to UNC. Always seemed to favor UNC. Now with his brother ready to play and study in Raleigh, he's even saying he's super close with the NC State coaches. They're not going to waste a basketball scholarship to get a football player -- that's absurd. But had UNC brought his brother on for basketball he'd be a Tar Heel lock. If Dorn's brother ended up playing basketball anywhere other than NC State, I'd say he probably lands at UNC. Now I'd give State the edge, and that's mostly out of the Heels' control. Not over yet though and they are not throwing in the towel.
One guy not to write off in the secondary is James Pierre, Mr. "Hurricane James," and a Miami commit. Though he grew up loving Miami, I've said this before. "The U's" class will go or come to a screeching halt based on their on-field play this year because it's put up or shut up time for Al Golden. Players are not going to commit four years and their football futures to a coach that's about to be kicked to the curve, even if they love Miami.
I'm also told that 6-foot-3 Florida cornerback Henry Miller will be visiting UNC on July 23. The camp is July 24, so he won't be participating. But this is a kid they like and may would take right now. You might remember that he had a top ten and then when Warren flew in, visited his school and offered he immediately added UNC to the mix.
Don't be surprised if UNC reaches out to four-star cornerback Craig Watts, who recently decommitted from Wisconsin. I believe they will.
And do you remember Patrice Rene? The physically imposing 6-foot-2, 203-pound corner, who can also play safety, attends boarding school at Episcopal in Alexandria, Va. Hes been to UNC and while Rene has shut it down to the media more so lately, sources are telling me that UNC would be on his short list. They have a "real shot" with Rene, I'm hearing -- not to get your hopes too high. Just have to mention that there is some real hopefulness. If you need more intel on that, here you go. Rene is very likely to make it to a game at UNC this fall (not sure if that's unofficially or officially yet) and I'm very confident UNC's coaches will be making a trip to see one of his.
According to one person close to the program that I spoke with the common belief is that Rene is mostly focused on Ohio State, UNC and Rutgers. He'd be a huge get.
Best case is a combination (two) of Rene, Watts, Pierre, Dorn and Pride. Ideally a four-person DB class with two safeties and two corners; preference for do-it-alls.
This is what I've been able to gather. UNC sources do not know for certain how many the class will finish with but the best guess at the moment is 22. Trying to predict the finished product by the numbers is always dicey because attrition, who you like and would take, etc., all factors in. None of that is known at the moment. If it's more or less, it won't be too much more or less than the 22 number I just gave you.
They would like to take a running back. If they can find a receiver they love, then they'll take a receiver they love. If they can get an offensive lineman they really want to squeeze in, and from what I gather Kapilovic would love to squeeze Leota in, then they won't hesitate.
BIG misconceptions!
1) UNC is not in dire straits at DT. Without going into too many details here, I am very confident that the numbers at defensive tackle will ultimately be more favorable than the near universal consensus has been that they are. Not going to pinpoint specific players that could move to defensive tackle, but there's more than one, already in the program now, that have absolutely all the physical tools and prerequisites to play on the interior.
I now think a lot of the talk about defensive tackle being a disaster area is being laughed off, and not defiantly -- genuinely. People very close and in the program do not see the numbers there as a lot of fans are seeing them. That disconnect is real.
2) DE is still a coveted position in the '16 class.
3) The target number at linebacker is smaller than many believe. There has been talk here and elsewhere that UNC could take upwards of five linebackers. It's been a common assumption that they will at least take four and five if they like the guys. I've even speculated that's possible.
I learned recently that UNC could very well take just three linebackers in the 2016 class. They want help across the board so don't be surprised if they take a Sam, a Will and a Mike to balance the depth chart and the roster. That's three total, including Dominique Ross, who is already on board.
Maybe some of you found some of the above info as paradigm-changing as I did. It was definitely a surprise to me on a couple of points. But I'm very confident that information is correct. Now, they could still conceivably take four linebackers. You always have to be flexible. But under the current working assumption of 22 as the total goal for the class and the partitioning of scholarships by position as it stands, three is the most likely scenario. More on that soon.
Which commitments should you be really, really excited about?
The quarterbacks are both rated four stars and they're both very intriguing, high ceiling prospects. But I can tell you that I get the impression that some of the three stars ranked lower than them, though they have a little less hype, may even be more highly regarded. Quarterbacks' value skyrockets and rightfully so. They touch the ball every play. But given UNC's depth chart situation and the fact that the program really isn't having a hard time getting touted quarterbacks into the system, relative to their positions I think some players have a higher ceiling than Chazz Surratt and Logan Byrd. That is only my opinion, and not that of any source.
First, I think Gregory Ross is someone that a lot of people are sleeping on. He's right around 6-feet and I'm told that his speed is absolutely reliable. There aren't many 4.4 outliers when he runs the 40 but there aren't many (if any) 4.6 outliers.
Beyond that, while he's under 170 pounds (to my knowledge, as of today), Ross is actually an extremely physical cornerback. He will knock a receiver off his route time and again and dominates the first five yards off the ball. I have it from one source that Ross went up against Divine Deablo (a player UNC's coaches really like, mind you) and (my word here) somewhat manhandled him. He tosses guys around but he's intelligent so he's not a walking flag waiting to happen.
Ross was probably the No. 1 cornerback on their board and folks are ecstatic that he's going to be a Tar Heel. He's also very long and aside from working the receiver at the line, he delivers massive body blows like an imposing safety, although he's a corner.
The staff has had a chance to watch Ross work extensively and against some of their top receiver targets in this class and other classes. He has risen the every challenge and the more they see, the more they love him. I wouldn't be shocked if he's the player with the highest ceiling in the class, although that's somewhat of an unconventional, outside the box choice.
I could say the same thing about the way insiders feel about Tomon Fox. We hyped his commitment up pretty good and for a reason. He is a pass rusher extraordinaire. Strictly as a pass rusher, a pin your ears back and get after it kid, he's one of the best in the class. Now, if he were two inches and 20 pounds more, he'd probably be a five star. He's got specialties (just mentioned) and things he can improve on. But UNC wants pass rushers and Fox was one that they wanted very, very badly.
I'm told that when he went to the University of Georgia he absolutely wore out UGA offensive line commit Ben Cleveland. Could not keep up with him one bit. Ran circles around him and threw his weight around in spite of the huge weight disadvantage. Kept him off balance and was relentless. He turned in, reportedly per my sources, a tremendous camp performance at Notre Dame, wowing onlookers there. He's a kid that had Auburn, Tennessee and Notre Dame offers with more that surely would have come. Elite level pass rusher.
Expect two more defensive backs
UNC has commitments from Javontay Smith and Gregory Ross in the secondary. Tar Heels that matter in decision making roles feel fantastic about those players. With the news that recent commit Korey Banks is a receiver, that leaves two spots open for defensive backs. There could be a little wiggle room one way or another there, but that's the vibe I'm getting.
First, I am told not to write off Virginia Tech commit Troy Pride. Don't write him off. He's gone underground a bit and doesn't want to publicly muse on this and create a lot of day to day drama (i.e. headaches), but I'm getting the sense that he's starting to take a closer look at what the Hokies' depth chart is going to look like and that's giving some traction to North Carolina and Notre Dame, the two main contenders standing in line for a potential flip. And there is the potential for that. I believe he's right there neck and neck or maybe slightly behind Gregory Ross on the board.
Pride's also a fantastic student and has a lot of interest in the prestige that comes with a UNC degree. The same is true as a reason for his interest in Notre Dame -- no knock on the Hokies. Working in Frank Beamer's favor? Tech carries enormous clout with defensive backs. It's a "destination job" for defensive back recruits.
If I had to guess, based on what I'm hearing, I'd say UNC would love to mount a late successful charge with Myles Dorn. They still like the Charlotte safety a lot. It's just a really bad beat that his brother transferred to play basketball at NC State and that really seems to have shaken up the dynamics of his recruitment. Strange situation. Parents went to UNC. Always seemed to favor UNC. Now with his brother ready to play and study in Raleigh, he's even saying he's super close with the NC State coaches. They're not going to waste a basketball scholarship to get a football player -- that's absurd. But had UNC brought his brother on for basketball he'd be a Tar Heel lock. If Dorn's brother ended up playing basketball anywhere other than NC State, I'd say he probably lands at UNC. Now I'd give State the edge, and that's mostly out of the Heels' control. Not over yet though and they are not throwing in the towel.
One guy not to write off in the secondary is James Pierre, Mr. "Hurricane James," and a Miami commit. Though he grew up loving Miami, I've said this before. "The U's" class will go or come to a screeching halt based on their on-field play this year because it's put up or shut up time for Al Golden. Players are not going to commit four years and their football futures to a coach that's about to be kicked to the curve, even if they love Miami.
I'm also told that 6-foot-3 Florida cornerback Henry Miller will be visiting UNC on July 23. The camp is July 24, so he won't be participating. But this is a kid they like and may would take right now. You might remember that he had a top ten and then when Warren flew in, visited his school and offered he immediately added UNC to the mix.
Don't be surprised if UNC reaches out to four-star cornerback Craig Watts, who recently decommitted from Wisconsin. I believe they will.
And do you remember Patrice Rene? The physically imposing 6-foot-2, 203-pound corner, who can also play safety, attends boarding school at Episcopal in Alexandria, Va. Hes been to UNC and while Rene has shut it down to the media more so lately, sources are telling me that UNC would be on his short list. They have a "real shot" with Rene, I'm hearing -- not to get your hopes too high. Just have to mention that there is some real hopefulness. If you need more intel on that, here you go. Rene is very likely to make it to a game at UNC this fall (not sure if that's unofficially or officially yet) and I'm very confident UNC's coaches will be making a trip to see one of his.
According to one person close to the program that I spoke with the common belief is that Rene is mostly focused on Ohio State, UNC and Rutgers. He'd be a huge get.
Best case is a combination (two) of Rene, Watts, Pierre, Dorn and Pride. Ideally a four-person DB class with two safeties and two corners; preference for do-it-alls.
