Early Signing Day (ESD) has come and gone and now it’s time to analyze it and dream of our rosters for next year. This series we’ll look into each team in the ACC (and Notre Dame) and go over who signed (scholarship signees only) and what my humble opinion is on each respective team’s ESD class. The order in which I will go over each team is determined by their rank in the standings after the ACC championship. This article is for the ACC runners-up, the North Carolina Tarheels.
Biggest Need
UNC is slated to lose up to 7 DB’s so it was crucial that the Tarheels reloaded their DB room. They won’t be able to replace the 7 (highlighted by Tony Grimes), but they were able to grab 3 on ESD. Look for these three to have to play early and often on an already struggling defense.
Highlight
The position to take note of is WR. UNC is losing one of the best WR’s in Tarheel history in Josh Downs, but they are bringing in 3 big-bodied guys in top ESD signee Chris Culliver (6-3), Christian Hamilton (6-0), and Paul Billups (6-2). Loading up this offense led by Drake Maye is key in UNC getting back to the ACC championship and these 3 look to be able to help with that.
My Favorite 3 Grabs:
• Chris Culliver – Chris Culliver isn’t the fastest, but where he lacks in speed, he beats you with his superb ball skills and vision. His ability to high point the ball will make him an early favorite for Drake Maye and this potent UNC offense.
• DJ Geth – is a technician with great feet and also an excellent athlete. Geth has the ability to start early as he already has a collegiate frame (6-4 300). If you want to get excited about UNC’s run game, watch Geth use great footwork to cut off a defender on outside zone, chip and work up to the next level, block in space, and throw defenders out of the club.
• Julien Randolph – Randolph will need to fill out in his frame, but what you can’t coach is his height at 6-5. Randolph also looks like a refined pass catcher – has great body placement on crossing routes, has the ability to catch the ball away from his body, and does an excellent job high pointing the football.
