It has been a busy week for the Heels on the recruiting trail, with the 2020 class growing to ten strong after commitments in consecutive days on Thursday and Friday. As the coaching staff continues to say on social media, who is next? Let take a look at where the Heels stand with some of there major targets to find that out.
4✮ DUAL Malik Hornsby- Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City, TX)
Hornsby was part of the massive group of prospects who were on campus this past weekend and seemed to thoroughly enjoy his first stop in Chapel Hill. The visit pushed the Heels up near the top of his list, but as of right now, it still seems like Texas A&M holds the advantage over everyone else. The good news is that Hornsby doesn’t seem close to a decision, so the Heels will have time to continue to make an impression.
4✮ DUAL Jacolby Criswell- Morrilton (Morrilton, AR)
Criswell, who was the regional MVP of this past weekend Elite 11 regional camp in St. Louis, visited campus earlier this offseason and similar to Hornsby, really seemed to be positively influenced by what he saw from Heels staff. As of right now, it doesn’t seem like Criswell is ready to make a decision just yet, but the Heels have picked up one crystal ball prediction and is seen as a slight leader in an otherwise wide-open race.
4✮ WR Muhsin Muhammad III- Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
Muhammad is coming off a fantastic performance at the Rivals 3-Stride Camp in Charlotte a few weeks ago and continues to be one of the more coveted wide receivers for the Heels in this 2020 class. At the moment, the Heels seem to be in a solid position with the son of the former Panthers wide receiver, but NC State is an early favorite. Muhammad hasn’t indicated that he is close to a decision, though, so there is time and his relationship with 2020 Tar Heel commit Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and cornerback’s coach Dre Bly definitely helps.
4✮ OT Aaryn Parks- National Christian Academy (Fort Washington, MD)
Parks is closing on his May 6th decision and the Heels are one of the five that are still on the race for him. Penn State heads into the decision as a heavy favorite, with Carolina residing in that second tier with teams like Florida and Oklahoma. It seems unlikely that the Heels will be the pick.
5✮ WDE Desmond Evans- Lee County (Sanford, NC)
Evans, the No. 17 overall player in the 2020 class and the state’s top overall prospect, has been a priority for the Heels since before his sophomore season and the new staff picked up on the momentum that Fedora’s staff had with him. As of right now, the Heels and NC State are the two teams seemingly locked in the battle for him, but Alabama is trying to make a push and could soon make this a fierce three-horse race for his services down the stretch.
3✮ WDE Quentin Williams- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Williams has been one of Carolina’s frequent visitors and seems to have a phenomenal relationship with the new staff. Williams seems to be tied closely to three schools at this point in his recruitment, all three of which are ACC Coastal teams. Of the three teams at the top of the pecking for him, the Heels would seem to be the favorite, but as of right now, there has been no indication that he is close to shutting his recruitment down. A decision by high school teammate Trenton Simpson could change that, though.
4✮ SDE Myles Murphy- Dudley (Greensboro, NC)
Murphy, who transferred to Dudley High School earlier this offseason, has been a frequent to Chapel Hill early in his Tar Heel recruitment. The problem is another team is in solidly in the lead for him according to the crystal ball predictions with Carolina stuck in that second tier with heavyweights like Alabama and LSU. Murphy hasn’t indicated that his recruitment is coming to a close just yet, but it may not be long before he is joining his new teammate Mike Wyman III in Columbia.
3✮ SDE Sean Martin- Bluefield (Bluefield, WV)
Martin was on campus this past Saturday and seemed to have another enjoyable visit to campus. Right now, it seems like the staff has made a strong impression, but the problem will be beating out in-state West Virginia. Like many on this list, there still seems to be time to overtake the Mountaineers, but it won’t be easy.
4✮ OLB Trenton Simpson- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Simpson is arguably the Heels biggest target remaining in this 2020 class. The in-state standout was jumped on heavily by South Carolina early in his recruitment, but Mack Brown and his staff immediately made him a priority and it paid off. Simpson has become one of the Heels most frequent visitors and has actually become a slight Tar Heel lean. With this recruitment feeling like it heading down the home stretch, the Heels look to be in great shape, but must hold off charges from Auburn and NC State who have offered and both Georgia and Clemson if they do offer.
4✮ S Ja’Qurious Conley- Northside-Jacksonville (Jacksonville, NC)
Conley has been quiet over the last few weeks, but he has established a strong relationship with the Heels since the new coaching staff arrived in December. The Heels have the early advantage in this race that appears far from it’s, but the Heels have to feel confident with where they are at this point.
4✮ S Nehki Meredith- Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, VA)
Meredith established a strong relationship with the staff back in February when he was on campus and has maintained that to this point. Two SEC recruiting powers have made a heavy push lately and TCU has also put themselves in good position. The Horned Frogs might hold the slight advantage at this point, especially if 4✮ CB Keontae Jenkins, who he has built a strong friendship with, chooses the Horned Frogs in his decision on Wednesday.