The Tar Heels first bye week of the 2019 season has been far from a quiet one. This week has been packed with some important news both on the field and on the recruiting trail this week. Let’s catch you up on the major storylines of the bye week.
5✮ WDE Desmond Evans Sets a Commitment Date
The Tar Heels’ biggest target in the 2020 class has set his commitment for Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM. The No. 20 overall player in the 2020 class has been a strong Tar Heel lean for the bulk of his recruitment and will enter Friday’s decision with 100% of his 247Sports crystal ball predictions in favor of the Heels. The No. 2 weakside defensive end in the class has tallied 141 total tackles, 35.0 tackles for a loss and 30.0 sacks so far in his prep career and is looking to finish with double-digit sacks for a third straight season in 2019. The Tar Heels are closing in on landing this special talent and their first 5✮ commitment since Donte Paige-Moss in 2009.
Patrice Rene Will Be Back in 2020
There was some speculation that he would return after suffering a torn ACL in the game against Miami. On Monday night, though, Mack Brown made it official, announcing on his radio show that Rene would be returning for the 2020 season. The Ontario, Canada native had a breakout junior season in 2018, allowing just a 41.3 QBR when he was thrown at and pulling in the first two interceptions of his career. Rene was off to a strong start to his senior year, as well, before tearing up his knee, but will now have another chance to put together another strong senior season before heading to the NFL. Rene will join what is already set to be a loaded Tar Heel secondary for the 2020 season.
Trey Morrison Out Indefinitely
Inside Carolina was the first to break the news last week that Morrison would miss significant time after surgery on a broken arm suffered against Georgia Tech. The football program made it official on Monday, announcing that Morrison joins safety Myles Wolfolk as players that are currently out for an indefinite period of time. Morrison has tallied 21 total tackles, 0.5 a tackle for loss and three pass deflections so far this season. That leaves the Tar Heels with just nine healthy scholarship players in a secondary that has played plenty of nickel through the first six games of the season.
3✮ OT Cayden Baker Set to Officially Visit
With all of the focus on Evans, you may have missed the fact that the Tar Heels will host another one of their top remaining targets in the 2020 class for an official visit next Saturday. That’s when Baker, the No. 98 offensive tackle in the 2020 class, will take his only scheduled official visit to this point. Many believe that if Baker likes what he sees, he could be the Tar Heels third offensive line commit of the class and the second offensive tackle a short time after the visit.
4✮ SDE Commit Myles Murphy Headed to the Under Armour All-American Game
For the first time since 2015, the Tar Heels have an Under Armour All-American. Murphy received the distinct honor following Dudley’s home game against Ben L. Smith this past Friday night. The No. 6 strongside defensive end in the 2020 class is off to a nice start to his senior season with 36 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks in the team’s first seven games. He will the Tar Heels eighth prospect to play in the game when he the Camping World Stadium field in January.
3✮ ATH Commit Jefferson Boaz Named a Midseason All-USA Offensive Player of the Year Candidate
USA Today announced their list of midseason candidates for the offensive player of the year award on Tuesday, with Boaz amongst the five prospects selected from the Southeast Region. Boaz currently sits second in the state of North Carolina in passing, throwing for 2,058 yards and posting a 30-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio on 71.1% passing in seven games this season. He has also helped lead his high school, East Surry High School, to a 7-0 start as he looks to bring his team to a second straight 1AA state title game and knock off Tarboro, who has won 36 straight games. Votes will determine who will move on throughout the season. The link to vote is HERE.