UNC Football: Recruiting for Fed-Ex

Larry Fedora had a huge challenge when he stepped into the job at UNC and particularly on the recruiting trail. He had to fight the negative recruiting from some of UNC’s biggest rivals, he had scholarship limits, he had to build relationships with UNC high schools, and he needed to find players to fit his system on both sides of the ball. I think we can all agree that Larry Fedora’s first class has been a huge success. ESPN currently has it ranked 15th, which is incredible considering all of the factors that have played into it.

Sep 29, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora congratulates his team on a good play against the Idaho Vandals in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE

Lets for a second focus on what Larry Fedora has done to recruit players for his up tempo, exciting, and high scoring offense we like to term Fed-Ex. Though Fedora has recruited incredibly well to the defensive side of the ball, the play makers he has recruited on offense I believe will make his offense even more potent. The skill players that Larry Fedora’s staff have gone out and recruited have to be excited about playing in the Fed-Ex system and here are some of the guys for UNC fans to be excited about.

First T.J. Logan, the 4 star A-back prospect from North Guilford HS in Greensboro N.C. has speed, power and elusiveness that will remind many of Romar Morris. He is also extremely dangerous in the return game. Playing on both sides of the ball at North Guilford he also excels playing DB. So far this year Logan has had multiple 200 yard games and one 300 yard game. By my calculations Logan has rushed for 1230 yards on 82 carries (15 ypc) and scored 18 TDs through 6 games. Logan will be a great addition to Fedora’s backfield where he wants to carry four backs who can contribute. I think Logan will play right away and not just contribute but excel.

Next Ryan Switzer, the 4 star prospect from George Washington HS in Charlestown W.V. is the number 1 player out of the state. He is probably even underrated as he has explosiveness that few if any in the 2013 class have. The reason he is undervalued is clearly his stature at 5’8” and 170 pounds, but as we all know in Fed-Ex that rarely maters if people can’t catch you. During his junior year Switzer ran for nearly 2800 yards and scored 44 TDs. In four games after coming back from injury in 2012 Switzer has rolled up 1139 yards and scored 11TDs. Switzer is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Switzer is a nightmare in open space and
should find plenty in Chapel Hill.

Another weapon is Johnathan Howard a 6’5” WR from Wilcox County HS in Rochelle G.A. who is listed in the ESPN 300. Howard flew under the radar for a bit but has blown up as of late. In his games this year he is averaging over 100 yards a game and 2 TDs. He runs very well and has great hands. Howard will give UNC QBs another big target in the red zone where he will be a matchup nightmare for DBs.

Staying in the realm of big time WRs, Justin Fieulleteau from Wakefield HS in Raleigh N.C. is BIG TIME. He is also a member of the ESPN 300 and is as polished a WR as there is coming out of HS. After having 1200 yards and 24 TDs in his junior campaign he is having another great great year.

Finally the next in what seems to be a growing line of UNC QBs is Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky is from Mentor HS in Mentor O.H. he is also a member of the ESPN 300. He is considered a big time dual-threat QB and has put up crazy numbers in the largest HS classification in Ohio. He is averaging over 300 yards passing, 75 yards rushing, and a little over 4 TDs a game. That is crazy for any HS QB but extremely impressive considering his competition. Tar Heels may not see him starting on the field for another 3 years but once he does get his chance it is clear he has the talent to excel in a perfect system for him.

These five playmakers have been recruited by Larry Fedora to fit his system.   These will be the players that take what is clearly a great offensive system and turn it into one of the most feared offenses in the Nation. Each one of these players has a different skill set but one thing is true about all of them, every time they touch the ball they are a threat to put points on the board. Five more big time players to add to the current Tar Heels to help Fed-Ex deliver over and over again.