UNC Football: Former SEC Lineman Commits to Tar Heels

Austin Blaske is UNC football's second prize from the SEC via this year's transfer portal.

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Since 2021, Austin Blaske has been a reserve offensive lineman for back-to-back national champion Georgia, seeing action in 18 contests. But after drawing only three appearances this year despite his tag as a potential starter in the preseason, he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4 and is now set to join the UNC football program.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound junior bruiser revealed his commitment to Mack Brown and the Tar Heels on social media this week.

Interestingly, as a four-star 2020 recruit at South Effingham High School (Ga.), Austin Blaske was initially committed to UNC's rival, NC State. However, one day before the early signing period in December 2019, he announced the reopening of his recruitment; the following day, he inked his national letter of intent with Georgia.

Thus far, he and former Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson, who committed to the Tar Heels in late November, are the only players in this year's transfer portal who have pledged allegiance to UNC.

Meanwhile, the 2024 UNC football recruiting class, which ranks No. 28 in the country in the eyes of 247Sports, includes a handful of promising offensive linemen.

That said, the addition of Blaske's experience seems crucial given that several pieces to the 2023 Tar Heels' offensive line have expired their eligibility.

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