UNC Football Recruiting: Defensive Update
The 2014 college football season is just a week away and big things are expected from the #23 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. With that being said, the 2015 recruiting cycle is in full swing and UNC has held their own on the trail(#19 ranked class according to ESPN). Head coach Larry Fedora and his staff has put an emphasis on improving the defense, so lets take a look at the defensive players who’ve committed and some of those who hold offers from the Tar Heels.
Jamile Johnson is Carolina’s latest defensive commit and he just might be the best of the bunch thus far. Johnson is a safety from Dallas who recently decommitted from Oklahoma and according to the ESPN 300 he’s rated as a four star prospect. Middle Linebacker Johnathan Sutton is another player who has fans excited. Sutton is four star prospect from Swansea, South Carolina who has a chance to be a really solid player and he should be one of the better one’s in the class. Three star outside linebacker Andre Smith is one of the most underrated players of the entire class in my opinion. Smith has freakish athletic ability, he can cover and rush the passer and I believe that this young man has a chance to become the next great UNC linebacker.
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Defensive Tackle Aaron Crawford gives the Tar Heels some much-needed beef in the trenches. Crawford is six feet tall, weighs in at over 300 lbs, and he could be the anchor of the D-line in the future. Three star cornerback Corey Bell may be small in stature but he makes big plays. Bell is only 5’9 170 lbs however, he has great ball skills and he’s solid in coverage. The Cornelius, North Carolina native is a threat in the return game as well, making him even more valuable. Javarius Davis is listed as an athlete but it’s likely that he’ll play moved to corner once he arrives on campus. Davis is small (5’10 180 lbs) like Corey Bell and just like Bell he makes plays. Javarius is decent in coverage and he’s not afraid to hit somebody! Georgia Native and three star cornerback J.K. Britt is the only other defensive commit at this point and time.
With that being said, the Tar Heels still have their eyes on a few of the top defensive prospects in the country. According to Carolina Blue, Five star defensive tackle Shy Tuttle will choose his school on September 26th. The Tar Heels are in his final five along with Clemson,Miami,Tennessee and N.C. State. If UNC can keep the number one prospect in the state at home (Lexington,N.C.), it will be a sign that head coach Larry Fedora is starting to close the borders. Four star defensive end Jalen Dalton is another in state prospect (Clemmons,N.C.) who the Heels are after. Dalton is 6’6 235 lbs and a pass rushing extraordinaire.
Darian Roseboro is yet another big time defensive linemen from North Carolina (Lincolnton). Although Roseboro is not the pass rusher Jalen Dalton is, he a classic 3-4 D-end and it would be huge if he committed to UNC. Cornerback Mike Hughes also holds an offer from UNC. This young man is a four star player from New Bern, North Carolina. Should he take his talents to Chapel Hill, the secondary will have a chance to be special down the line.
Overall, Larry Fedora and his staff has put together a nice class on both sides of the ball. They’ve gotten good players while filling needs at the same time. If UNC can get a commit or two from these highly touted in state products, this class has a real chance to jump into the top ten. Either way, the Carolina D seems to have a bright future.