Breaking down North Carolina's 2022 recruiting class so far
North Carolina came into this year with big expectations, but it hasn’t worked out. The Tar Heels have three losses already this season, the latest coming at home to a struggling Florida State squad.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that UNC is recruiting at a level that will make future breakout seasons more possible. The Tar Heels’ 2022 class currently ranks in the top 10 nationally and is loaded with blue-chip recruits.
It’s also a class that’s heavily focused on skill position players and in the trenches — two areas where North Carolina needs to see improvement moving forward.
Here’s a breakdown of UNC’s class so far:
Class ranking: No. 1 in ACC, No. 9 nationally
Total commits: 15
Blue-chip commits (4-and-5-star prospects): 10
Highest-rated offensive player: 5-star OT Zach Rice | No. 9 overall | No. 1 OT | Lynchburg, Virginia
Highest-rated defensive player: 5-star DL Travis Shaw | No. 4 overall | No. 2 DL | Greensboro, North Carolina
Final thoughts: If North Carolina can close on this class, it will be a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 2021 campaign. There’s plenty of potential for early-impact players here, and that will be important as the Tar Heels look to fill holes next season.