UNC Football Adds Another QB to 2025 Recruiting Haul
![UNC football recruiting pledge Gary Merrill UNC football recruiting pledge Gary Merrill](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3731,h_2098,x_0,y_159/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_tar_heels/01jjtdaeeg89wehn6115.jpg)
St. Anthony's High School (N.Y.) standout Gary Merrill, a five-star midfielder, has long been committed to playing lacrosse in Chapel Hill. Now, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is officially on board to also suit up for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels as a UNC football quarterback, Prep Lacrosse's Ty Xanders first reported on Wednesday night.
ALSO READ: Brother of Recent UNC Transfer Addition Reveals Offer From Tar Heels
As a senior, Merrill became the Gatorade New York Football Player of the Year after completing 124 of his 180 passes (68.9 percent) for 1,762 yards and 19 scores while throwing only four interceptions. Plus, the dual-threat signal-caller racked up another 1,955 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground, altogether leading the St. Anthony's Friars to a 9-4 overall record and the state championship game.
Congratulations to @Gary_theGOAT on winning the NYS Gatorade Football Player of the Year. Gary is the second Friars QB to win the award in 3 years @StAnthonysAth @NYCHSFL https://t.co/AR73wWrmyU pic.twitter.com/4hGjtsFid6
— Friar Football (@StAnthonysFB) December 6, 2024
"I'll do anything to win," Gary Merrill recently explained to Newsday. "I run a lot, and I try to use the QB run game to allow me to succeed."
🚨'25 QB Gary Merrill (St Anthony, NY) with one of his exceptional plays yesterday against Chaminade.
— Coach Hawkins (@BrianHawkins4) September 1, 2024
Being backed up close to the End Zone raises the level of pressure. Watching how a QB handles the pocket backed up is a good indicator of how they handle that raised pressure.… pic.twitter.com/1u7IxQOT2K
He becomes the 20th UNC football recruiting pledge in the 2025 cycle.
The Tar Heels' collection, stacking up at No. 60 in the country in the eyes of 247Sports, includes two more decorated quarterbacks in Maury High School (Va.) three-star Au'Tori Newkirk, who announced his commitment to Belichick & Co. last week, and East Forsyth High School (N.C.) four-star Bryce Baker, an early signee.
ALSO READ: UNC Head Coach Conducts In-Home Visit With Top-Ranked 2026 QB
Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football recruiting news.