UNC Football: Tar Heels’ future backfield among best in nation?

The UNC football program is among those with the top incoming backfield talent in the nation.

To say that the North Carolina football program has had an uptick in its recruiting prowess over the past two seasons would be an understatement. The Tar Heels have arguably accomplished more on the recruiting trail in Mack Brown’s first two years back in Chapel Hill than they did over the previous seven seasons combined under former head coach Larry Fedora.

After reeling in nine 4-star recruits and the nation’s No. 19 recruiting class in 2020, the Tar Heels are working on one of college football’s top recruiting hauls for the class of 2021. They’ve virtually fenced off the state of North Carolina, where they’ve brought in 14 of the top 36 prospects available. 11 of their 17 current commitments are of the 4-star variety, which is tied for second-most in the country. And on top of all of that, they just got a commitment from 5-star cornerback Tony Grimes on Tuesday, the No. 7 prospect in the nation, and second-highest ranked UNC recruit ever.

Among the position groups being lauded by those in the college football community is the Tar Heels’ running back corps. Both 247Sports and Rivals have pegged UNC’s 2021 backfield as the fourth-best in the nation to this point, and it has a chance to get even better before all is said and done. With a pair of talented rushers committed in Kamarro Edmonds and Caleb Hood, North Carolina looks to have a nice game plan for when current UNC running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are done with the college ranks.

"“. . . Kamarro Edmonds is a tremendous talent and a player we like a lot more than the 247Sports Composite,” 247Sports Greg Biggins writes. “He’s a top 10 back nationally in our eyes, No. 135 overall and has all the physical tools to be a standout and a difference maker at the next level. He has a strong, physical frame, runs with power and shows decisiveness hitting the hole. He can get down hill in a hurry and shows good hands out of the backfield as well. He can make you miss in the open field and has the kind of all around game that will allow him to see the field in all situations.”"

He also had good things to say about Caleb Hood, whose father, Errol Hood, played for the Tar Heels from 1998 to 2001. Hood has a sturdy body at 6-feet and 220 pounds to go along with really nice speed and athletic ability. Biggins mentions both in his assessment of Hood, who should get plenty of burn in the UNC backfield in the years to come.

"“. . . He [Caleb Hood] has a rare combination of size, speed and power,” Biggins continues. “He’s a tremendous all around athlete and could end up playing multiple positions for the Tar Heels. At 6-0, 220 pounds, he has an NFL body right now and tested off the charts at the Opening Regional Camp a year ago with a 4.40-40 and a 37” vertical jump. You love to have a player with that kind of versatility and if Hood does wind up at running back, he could be special.”"

National Recruiting Director for Rivals, Mike Farrell, also named the Tar Heels’ 2021 recruiting class one of the best in the nation. He likes yet another prospect — DeAndre Boykins — that the Tar Heels could use at the running back position, along with Edmonds and Hood.

"“There are some other classes out there with multiple running backs, but the value DeAndre Boykins brings as an in-state prospect with great versatility puts North Carolina on this list.”"

There’s no doubt that the Tar Heels are on the right path, not only with their terrific lineup of future running backs, but the program as a whole. With very little competition in the ACC Coastal Division, it conceivable that the Tar Heels could find themselves in a College Football Playoff in the coming years. The only question is, can they knock off ACC powerhouse and perennial title contender Clemson? They gave the Tigers all they could handle in 2015 with a team that was probably less talented than the ones they’ll have over the next few years. But only time will tell.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the UNC football program.