UNC Football News: Tar Heels earn commitment from Virginia flip

The UNC football program got some good news ahead of National Signing Day, as former Virginia Cavaliers commit Will Hardy has flipped to the Tar Heels.

Former Virginia Cavaliers pledge and three-star safety Will Hardy switched his commitment to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday night. The talented and versatile defenseman joins a 16-man group committed to North Carolina that’s currently ranked eighth in the nation and first in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the class of 2022.

His decision comes just one day after visiting the school. It also follows the recent announcement that Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall would be resigning after the Cavaliers’ bowl game. It was only a few days later that UNC head coach Mack Brown and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman visited Hardy, and that was apparently all it took to get him to Chapel Hill for an official visit. That visit, which took place over the weekend, convinced Hardy to flip his commitment to North Carolina.

"“Due to the events of the past two weeks, I have reconsidered my college choice,” Hardy said. “I have great respect for the University of Virginia and appreciate Coach Mendenhall and his staff for recruiting me. I also believe Coach Elliot will do a great job leading their program. However, I have decided to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of North Carolina. I want to thank the Lord for blessing me with his opportunity. Thank you to my parents and siblings for their continued love and support. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for pushing me to become my very best. Thank you to Coach Brown and Coach Bateman for leading me through this process and believing in me. I am so grateful to be in this position and excited for what the future holds. Go Heels!”"

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hardy, who is currently listed as an “athlete” according to 247Sports, is the No. 836 prospect in the class of 2022 in the composite rankings. He’s 58th among those listed as athletes, and No. 85 in the state of Georgia. Hardy is one of three defensive backs committed to North Carolina in 2022 joining Marcus Allen and Tayon Holloway. Coincidentally, Hardy and Allen went to high school just 21 miles away from each other.

During his senior season, Hardy compiled 133 total tackles, eight interceptions (tops in the state of Georgia), 707 receiving yards, 1,163 all-purpose yards, 10 touchdowns, three blocked kicks and two forced fumbles. He will, no doubt, add skill and athleticism to a UNC defense that could use a lot of both.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for real-time coverage of National Signing Day on Wednesday, as well as everything on the UNC football program.