UNC Football: 2024 signees who will have the biggest impact as freshmen

Mack Brown and the UNC football program had a rather busy day on Early Signing Day, as all 27 student-athletes who verbally pledged to the program made their decisions official.

With 21 of the 27 players graduating high school early to head to Chapel Hill over the next few weeks, the hope is that this class will be one that can help lead the UNC football program to greater heights.

According to 247Sports, North Carolina has the No. 26 overall recruiting class in the country, as some sites rate the Tar Heels among the top 25. With plenty of subtractions since the regular season came to a close, the group of newcomers have the chance to make an impact right away.

The transfer portal could make it difficult for true freshman to make an immediate impact, but there are still those student-athletes who find a way to make an impact right out of the gate.

For the UNC football program, these are the three players that are most likely to make an immediate impact during the 2024 season.

When you look at the UNC football program's incoming recruiting class, Malcolm Ziglar is the player that has the potential to see the field early and often during his career in Chapel Hill.

The Fuquay, Varina, North Carolina native is regarded as one of the top safeties in his class, as his size and athleticism could help push for playing time from the onset.

North Carolina's defensive issues have been a yearly tradition over the last few seasons, as the Tar Heels are coming off a 2023 season in which they ranked No. 95 in total defense among NCAA Division I programs. North Carolina allowed 405 yards per game, as the secondary was one of the biggest issues this unit faced once again.

Other than Alijah Huzzie, the secondary left a lot of room to be desired. The hope is that Ziglar can be an impact player right away in what hopes to be a revamped and improved defensive unit in 2024.