All Tar Heels

Premier In-State Recruit Eliminates UNC Football From Contention

The UNC football recruiters are no longer players for Charlotte standout David Sanders Jr.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Providence Day (N.C.) junior David Sanders Jr., who has long held an offer from Mack Brown and his staff, visited the UNC football program in June. And the 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive tackle returned to Chapel Hill in mid-October, coinciding with the Tar Heels' 41-31 win over Miami in Kenan Memorial Stadium.

But over the weekend, he did not name UNC among his six finalists. Sanders, No. 2 overall and No. 1 among North Carolina talents on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, is down to three SEC schools in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, plus one apiece from the ACC and Big Ten in Clemson and Ohio State.

Although UNC stood as a home-state hopeful in the high-profile David Sanders Jr. sweepstakes, it's worth pointing out that his 0.9991 composite rating is higher than any of the past Tar Heel recruiting prizes at any position in the 247Sports database, which dates back about 20 years.

For now, the 2025 UNC football class consists of five verbal commits:

  • Gainesville (Ga.) four-star offensive tackle Alex Payne
  • East Forsyth (N.C.) four-star quarterback Bryce Baker
  • Cary (N.C.) three-star offensive lineman Trey Blue
  • McDonogh School (Md.) three-star edge Kamden Laudenslager
  • John Hersey (Ill.) three-star tight end Logan Farrell.

At this extremely early juncture in the cycle, the Tar Heels' haul sits No. 16 in the country and No. 3 in the ACC, according to 247Sports.

Their 2024 collection finished with a No. 26 composite ranking.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC football and basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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