All Tar Heels

UNC Football: Elite Georgia Linebacker Shuts Down Recruitment

The UNC football recruiters will likely avoid hiccups in getting a signature from Ashton Woods.

Matt Giles

UNC football head coach Mack Brown (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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Walton (Ga.) inside linebacker Ashton Woods verbally committed to the UNC football staff in late June, days before his official visit to Chapel Hill. And according to a report on Sunday from Rivals' Russell Johnson, Woods "has shut down his recruitment" and is "fully locked in" on becoming a Tar Heel.

As Johnson pointed out, Woods will be at Georgia Tech at least a few times this season, but only to support his older brother, Yellow Jackets redshirt junior receiver Dom Blaylock. So his appearance on the campus of a former home-state contender for his services should be no cause for concern among the UNC football faithful.

In other words, chances are he makes things official with the Tar Heels during the early signing period in December.

Woods, a four-star prospect in the eyes of Rivals but a top-tier three-star on other national recruiting sites, ranks No. 530 overall and No. 60 among his Georgia peers on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Marietta native, once a teammate to current North Carolina sophomore defensive back Marcus Allen, is regarded as one of the surest tacklers in the state.

After watching Woods at the annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium over the weekend, 247Sports' Andrew Ivins briefly summarized his specialty: "Woods is at his best when things are in front of him."

Last season, Ashton Woods recorded 128 tackles, including 11 for a loss and five sacks, in addition to one interception. 

He is one of 26 players in his class who have pledged allegiance to UNC football head coach Mack Brown and his gang; that list includes six other prospects from Georgia. The 2024 Tar Heel haul currently ranks No. 25 in the country, per 247Sports.

RELATED: Recent Tar Heel Commit 'Coming for That Fifth Star'

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC football 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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