This article dives into North Carolina’s bounceback in recruiting, following the departure of many contributors this offseason.
While Drake Maye and North Carolina’s high-scoring offense led the Tar Heels to a conference championship game appearance, the offensive line and wide receiver positions needed to be addressed. The defense, or lack thereof outside of the linebacker unit, held the team back from reaching its full potential. The defense’s performance this season, combined with the loss of some key pieces in the secondary, has made the defense a priority to fix. Mack Brown and his staff put most to all of their attention into attacking the states of North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia along with the transfer portal to fill these needs.
With Mack Brown bringing in Chip Lindsey to be his new offensive coordinator, the offensive side of the ball is still going to be North Carolina’s identity. With that being said, the top two receiving threats are gone, and several offensive linemen are moving on, some help is needed.
Some well-known schools tried to tamper with Drake Maye using NIL according to Coach Mack Brown ? pic.twitter.com/k6H2LrtoRZ
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 20, 2022
The departures of Josh Downs and Antoine Green leave the passing game without its top two targets. J.J. Jones returns as a vertical threat, but giving Drake Maye another weapon to throw to was important. Insert Kent State transfer, Devontez Walker. As a sophomore at Kent State, he put up 58 receptions for 911 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a 106-yard game against number one Georgia. Walker, originally from the state of North Carolina, was sold on coming home to work with Maye and canceled scheduled visits to Tennessee and Penn State to commit to the Tar Heels. Wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway took advantage of a loaded in-state receiver class by landing four-star receivers Chris Culliver and Christian Hamilton for the future.
With several seniors moving on, the offensive line needed to be addressed in this class. Insert Coastal Carolina transfer, Willie Lampkin. Lampkin started as an all-conference lineman all three seasons he played at Coastal Carolina. He is versatile, as he started at a different position each season. Due to his size, he will be limited to the interior, where he can play all three spots. From the high school ranks, North Carolina was able to land Nolan McConnell for a potential answer at right tackle down the road.
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Coastal Carolina transfer OL Willie Lampkin committed to North Carolina @mfarrellsports https://t.co/Bltbu7LRS6
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) December 18, 2022
It was important to address the defensive line after a season where the Tar Heels’ defense ranked last in sacks and was tied for second worst in yards per rush allowed in their conference. The interior defensive line will add four-star Joel Starlings. Starlings is a HUGE pickup, both literally and metaphorically. Starlings stands at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds and can be a disruptor, especially in the run game. On the edge, North Carolina added in-state four-stars Jaybron Harvey and Tyler Thompson. Both Harvey and Thompson have great get-offs and a ton of upside.
With Storm Duck, Tony Grimes, Cam’Ron Kelly, and Dontae Balfour out the door, it was time to rework the secondary. North Carolina attacked the transfer portal to fill this need. Armani Chatman comes over from Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer. Chatman will bring a veteran presence as a sixth-year senior who has the ability to make plays on the ball. Alijah Huzzie comes over from ETSU after an All-American season at the FCS level. In 11 games, Huzzie recorded 59 tackles, six interceptions, and 16 pass breakups and has two years of eligibility left. At safety, Derrik Allen comes in as a graduate transfer from Georgia Tech. Allen recorded 29 tackles and an interception in his role as a reserve safety. On the recruiting front, North Carolina had an underrated get in Kaleb Cost. Cost is a safety with great range and ball skills. The staff likes his versatility and believes he can play all five spots in the secondary. Cost will play baseball at North Carolina as well.
Extremely blessed for this opportunity to continue my athletic and academic pursuits as a grad transfer. I’m excited to be a Tar Heel! @UNCFootball #Committed #FamilyAffair pic.twitter.com/DbWS0lhHWW
— DA (@DsmoothAllen) December 19, 2022
All in all, Mack Brown and his staff did a good job addressing needs in their class this cycle by recruiting the high school ranks and the transfer portal. After a rebound year for North Carolina that resulted in a conference championship game appearance and the chance for a double-digit win season with a bowl win, the Tar Heels are looking to take the next step in the ACC.
