Jared Wilson’s decommitment from the Tar Heels seemed to have caught some fans off guard, but this is apparently something that has been coming for a while now. Losing Wilson definitely hurts, but the good news is, the future on the offensive line looks very promising and while this year’s line is experienced, everyone is expected to return next season. Even with the stability there, the staff appeared as if they wanted to bring in at least two offensive lineman in this class, one on the interior of the line and one at tackle. With Wilson’s decommit, that leaves 4✮ OT Eli Sutton as the only commitment in this class on the offensive and one would think the staff is looking to add another body there, if they can, before the end of this cycle. Let’s take a look at where they might turn to find that second commitment in this class.
4✮ OG Yousef Mugharbil
The Tar Heels landed on this talent offensive guard prospects top seven back on July 22nd and that makes a little more sense now that we know what we know about the Wilson situation. If the Tar Heels haven’t already, the heat should be turned up on this recruitment in the near future now that Wilson is gone. Landing Mugharbil might actually be an upgrade over Wilson, as he has the higher ceiling and is the more polished run blocker and athletic of the two prospects. The challenge here will be shaking off the NC State Wolfpack, who are the favorites right now, but the good news is that the Tar Heels have been hanging around and his recruitment seems like it might still have some time remaining before a commitment. Getting him on campus for a visit would be a huge bonus, if it could happen this season, for the Tar Heels chances.
3✮ OT Diego Pounds
Pounds is listed as an offensive tackle, but at 6’6, 305 lbs, he has the size to play anywhere along the offensive line. The staff has had contact with him, including recently, likely induced by the Wilson situation, but to this point, has not extended an offer to him. With Wilson now gone and Murgharbil far from a guarantee, Pounds might finally be able to pick up that offer that the Tar Heels have seemed to be so close to popping for a while now.
4✮ OT Logan Taylor
Considering he just recently committed to Virginia, this one might seem a bit strange, but Taylor’s recruitment just doesn’t feel like it’s over quite yet. The key element in the Tar Heels flipping his commitment would be getting him to visit campus sometime this year, something we are still waiting to see if prospects will be able to do at any point this season. Taylor’s commitment was largely based on the fact that his only visit in his recruitment up until March was to Virginia. If restrictions were to be lifted and the Tar Heels could get him on campus for a visit, you have to believe Mack Brown and the staff would have a good chance to flip him based on the fact that they may have established the best overall relationship with Taylor during his time as a target.
3✮ OG Michael Gonazlez
This really depends on how much the staff values landing another offensive lineman in this class. Gonzalez is a guy that holds a Carolina offer, but the staff would have a lot of work to do here, especially with him currently being committed to Louisville. The Tar Heels do have the fact that he is a current teammate of 2021 commit Gavin Blackwell and a former teammate of current Tar Heel quarterback Sam Howell in their favor, but that might not be enough for him to flip his commitment. Again, the only way the Tar Heels likely pursue this is if they don’t feel confident with Mugharbil and they determine as a staff that this is a spot where they need to have another player in this class, but Gonzalez is a name that is at least worth keeping an eye on.