While it was heavily speculated to be an option, Penn State shocked the college football world on Sunday by actually making the move.
Penn State has announced that they have fired head coach James Franklin.
Franklin's reign in Happy Valley ends in his 12th year on campus. He led the Nittany Lions to six double-digit win seasons, five New Year's Six bowl games and a berth in the first 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024.
Now, after failing miserably to meet the preseason hype around his team, Franklin is no longer in charge.
With that in mind, it leaves other programs lurking around in an effort to potentially poach some high school recruits. As of Sunday, 25 players from the Class of 2026 had originally pledged to the Nittany Lions, but that number will more than likely change in the very near future.
For Bill Belichick and the UNC football program, there's three former recruiting targets that may just become available again. If they do, don't be surprised if North Carolina jumps back into the mix for their services.
Here are three current Penn State football commits that all UNC football fans should be keeping close tabs on.
Davion Brown
A four-star wide receiver from Richmond, Virginia, Brown earned an offer from the UNC football program back in August 2023 (during the Mack Brown era). While the offer wasn't extended by the current regime, the recent interest from in-state schools (such as NC State and Charlotte) might be enough of a driving force to put the Tar Heels back into the equation.
Jahsiear Rogers
Another four-star wide receiver, Rogers has been committed to Penn State for over a year now. The Middletown, Delaware native is a guy who the current regime offered (one that came on February 28 of this current calendar year), so it's very safe to say that if he decommits from Penn State, North Carolina will be on the phone shortly after they receive the news.
Lavar Keys
Similar to Rogers, Keys is also a guy who the current regime made a push to flip in late February. It wasn't enough to sway the Hyattsville, Maryland native then, but it might be something that intrigues him now that Franklin has been removed as Penn State's head coach.