With the 2021 class set to produce historic early enrollments and the class already beginning to see some of it’s top players announce their commitments, the focus for many teams on the recruiting trail has turned to the 2022 cycle. The Tar Heels have seen a couple of their major targets in the cycle announce their commitments elsewhere and the question now has become when will they see the first commitment in the cycle go their way. While we won’t necessarily speculate on that, we will give you a few names to keep an eye on that could eventually be the first commitments of the Tar Heels’ 2022 class.
4✮ CB Tayon Holloway- Green Run (Virginia Beach, VA)
One of the main focuses of the 2022 class will be the 757 region of Virginia and the first target that may pop for the Tar Heels might very well be Holloway. He released his commitment date of Christmas Day 2020 on Friday night along with a final five that involves the Tar Heels. Right now, the crystal balls have the Tar Heels as the heavy favorite and they should head into the decision later next month in that same position. Unless someone makes a late push or the decision gets delayed, Holloway is a safe bet to be the Tar Heels first commitment. There is a chance someone beats him to it, though.
4✮ OLB Malaki Hamrick- Shelby (Shelby, NC)
Most Tar Heel fans will remember that Hamrick nearly committed on the spot back in May, so naturally he has to appear on any list like this. The Tar Heels are still the clear favorites in his recruitment and it is evident that he has a special connection with the team. With it becoming more and more likely that it will be next fall or possibly even later that recruits will be able to officially be invited back on to campus or even have in-person contact with coaching staffs, Hamrick may just go ahead and commit to what is most comfortable.
4✮ DT Curtis Neal- Hough (Cornelius, NC)
Neal originally set his commitment date for December 10th, but a few weeks ago he changed that to his top six release date. The goal for the Tar Heels and his other top schools will be to convince him to commit on that date and the fact that the NCAA dead period has been extended once again may help those chances. The Tar Heels have always had a good relationship with Neal and are one of the few spots that he has actually been able to visit, so if he is to commit, the Tar Heels would be one of the favorites to land him.
4✮ WR Tychaun Chapman- Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, VA)
Chapman is another 757 prospect that the Tar Heels have a strong enough relationship with to justify him landing on this list. Inside Carolina’s Don Callahan has recently said he is favoring the Tar Heels and the connections that the Tar Heel staff and those around the program have with Chapman make him a solid candidate here, especially if the dead period keeps being extended.
4✮ RB Michael Allen- J.H. Rose (Greenville, NC)
Allen is a bit of a darkhorse here, but he recently expressed that he has been impressed by what he has seen from the Tar Heel running backs this season. Scheme is a big factor in Allen’s recruitment, especially with him being a shorter player and Phil Longo’s system is one that he likes a lot. If the success for the 2020 Tar Heel backfield can continue, Allen may just have to jump on his offer and become the next member of that Robert Gillespie coached unit.