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UNC Football: Where do Tar Heels stand with five-star running back?

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches him team play against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches him team play against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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We take a look at the UNC Football program and their chances at landing five-star running back Will Shipley, a big in-state target

While the North Carolina Tar Heels have the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation, there is still room to add more for Mack Brown and his staff.

Over the past month or so, the Tar Heels watched five-star running back targets TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor commit to Ohio State. But they still have a five-star target left on their board in in-state recruit Will Shipley.

The 5-foot-11, 198-pound all-purpose back out of Matthews, North Carolina is ranked No. 20 overall in the 2021 class and has a total of 30 offers. He’s yet to cut down his list of teams but 247 Sports recently did an interview with Shipley on Zoom and talked about the seven programs that he’s considering still.

Not only that, but 247 Sports also identified four teams that they believe are the top teams for Shipley and included in there are the Tar Heels. Joining the Tar Heels are Clemson, Notre Dame and N.C. State.

Notre Dame and Clemson are tough competition right now for the Tar Heels as the Wolfpack appear to be trending downward. However, Shipley had some interesting things to say about UNC in the interview which you can watch here. 

Here is what 247 Sports wrote on Shipley and UNC: 

"Shipley has his eyes closely on North Carolina as well, and has a good friend in quarterback commit Drake Maye. He talks about how all of his friends are heading to play for the Tar Heels and head coach Mack Brown has done such a great job. His connection with coach Gillespie is strong. The distance is helpful as well."

Right now UNC has a chance to land Shipley but it appears as if they will have to make up some ground on both the Fighting Irish and Tigers. Both programs appear to be the top two teams in the race and Shipley could be close to a decision.

Landing Shipley would be huge for the Tar Heels’ 2021 class and add a much-needed offensive weapon for quarterback Sam Howell and the offense.

Next. UNC's 2021 class is climbing the rankings. dark

For more on Shipley and other UNC Football recruiting targets, please check back with Keeping it Heel.

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