Following the commitment of 3✮ WR Stephen Gosnell on Monday, the Tar Heels 2020 class has already reached 24 members. The question that many Tar Heel fans are asking is how many more players the Tar Heels will take on to close out Mack Brown’s first full class since returning to the Tar Heel sidelines. The typical class rounds out at 25 commitments, but the belief at this point is that the Tar Heels could take on more than that in this cycle, especially with some major targets still on the market. Here are some of the Tar Heels top targets to keep an eye on as they close in on completing their 2020 class and where they will land.
4✮ OLB Trenton Simpson- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
The stud linebacker, who is rated as the No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina in the 2020 class, re-opened his recruitment on Sunday after being committed to Auburn since June 14th. The Tar Heels have been making a major push with the No. 4 outside linebacker in the class over the past couple of months, headmanned by linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen and current Tar Heel safety Cam’Ron Kelly. The Tar Heels were the heavy favorites to land his services for most of the offseason prior to his commitment and now that he is back on the market, the Tar Heels are once again in the driver's seat. While it gives the Tar Heels a good chance to eventually land his commitment, the fact that he did not flip to Carolina after decommitting likely means that he is still willing to hear what others have to say. The biggest threat now that Auburn appears to be out of the picture, is Georgia, who had Simpson on campus twice back in April.
Where He Lands: North Carolina
4✮ ILB Mohamed Kaba- Clinton (Clinton, NC)
This is a name that has been receiving a lot of attention on the message boards, but as of right now, it seems that he’s pretty firm to South Carolina. With 4✮ ILB Ethan West already committed and Simpson now a Tar Heel lean, it seems unlikely that Kaba would strongly consider a flip to Carolina. NC State did have a strong connection with Kaba prior to his commitment, but right now, unless things take a turn for the worse in Columbia with Will Muschamp, he’ll stay with the Gamecocks.
Where He Lands: South Carolina
4✮ S Malcolm Greene- Highland Springs (Highland Springs, VA)
The Tar Heels had some momentum going their way after Greene’s visit to Chapel Hill for the Clemson game, but another team has since stepped up to take a lead in his recruitment. His first official visit came a couple of weeks ago when he attended the Florida-LSU game on October 12th and that visit seemed to have a profound impact on the direction of his recruitment. As of right now, LSU is a heavy favorite to land his commitment and with no other scheduled officials just yet, it’s hard to really say otherwise right now. While he may eventually take other visit, the Tigers visit looks tough to beat right now.
Where He Lands: LSU
3✮ OT James Pogorelc- Chantilly (Chantilly, VA)
One of the hottest new names on the trail in the past few weeks, the Tar Heels jumped into the hunt for Pogorelc back on September 20th. The No. 35 offensive tackle in the 2020 class is still early in his recruiting process, but Stanford has the early edge after landing his first unofficial visit last week. The Tar Heels will get their chance when Pogorelc is on campus this weekend, but with the team’s standing with Cayden Baker, you have to wonder just how hard they will push to land his commitment.
Where He Lands: Stanford
3✮ DT Octavious Oxendine- North Hardin (Radcliff, KY)
Oxendine will take a visit to campus this weekend and is part of a group of defensive linemen that show that the Tar Heels might not be done just yet on the defensive line. Kentucky is the favorite right now to land the services of the No. 7 player in the state of Kentucky with Tennessee and Purdue making some noise behind them and the Heels will look to enter that group making noise this weekend.
Where He Lands: Kentucky
3✮ OG Jonathan Adorno- Rolesville (Rolesville, NC)
The Tar Heels are looking to flip this NC State commit as he will take an unofficial visit to campus this weekend for the team’s matchup with Duke. This is the first concrete evidence that the No. 23 player in the state of North Carolina may be open to a flip and the Tar Heels are looking to add more depth in this class along the offensive line. If the visit to Chapel Hill goes well this weekend, the rumblings could grow a bit stronger.
Where He Lands: North Carolina
3✮ SDE Bradyn Swinson- Chapel Hill (Douglasville, GA)
Swinson seemed 100% committed all the way up until as recent as this past weekend, but the No. 40 strongside defensive end in the 2020 class will be on campus this weekend for an unofficial visit. It seems as if the Tar Heels might not be done along the defensive line just yet, despite the commitment of Desmond Evans. Swinson is still committed to Oregon right now and Arizona State is another team to watch if he reopens his commitment, but he is someone to keep an eye on with his visit to campus this week.
Where He Lands: Oregon
3✮ OG Anthony Carter Jr.- Butler (Matthews, NC)
Carter’s recruitment has been a quiet one to this point but should begin to pick up here soon. Right now, there doesn’t seem to be an extremely obvious leader, but rumors from earlier in the summer say he has narrowed it down to six finalists. Carolina is amongst those six finalists, but Carter Jr. feels like a distant target in this class, especially if Cayden Baker commits at some point.
Where He Lands: NC State
3✮ OT Cayden Baker- Fort Myers (Fort Myers, FL)
Baker will be taking his official visit to Chapel Hill on Saturday and is close to popping for the Tar Heels, especially if the visit goes well. The Tar Heels are looking to add a third offensive lineman to this class and as of right now, it seems like Baker, the No. 98 offensive tackle, has the best chance of anyone on this list of being that third prospect.
Where He Lands: North Carolina