Cary High offensive lineman Trey Blue and Jacksonville High running back were among seven high school players to sign with North Carolina on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
The Tar Heels fired head coach Mack Brown last week and are being led by interim coach Freddie Kitchens. Before he was fired, Brown indicated the program was likely to sign a smaller high school class.
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North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham said he expects to hire a new coach early next week.
Blue, a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder, is a three-star prospect. He was a three-year starter at Cary and was invited to play in the Shrine Bowl. He committed to UNC in September 2023.
Welcome to Chapel Hill, Trey Blue 🐏#UNCommon | @ZebraPenpic.twitter.com/XgLE1Bc13E
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball)
December 4, 2024June ran for 407 yards in a game in October. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder rushed for 4,741 yards in his career with 84 rushing touchdowns. He is considered a three-star prospect.
The Tar Heels added offensive lineman Byron Nelson from Katy, Texas. Nelson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds and considered a three-star prospect.
North Carolina also signed defensive lineman Kamden Laudenslager out of McDonogh School in Maryland. Laudenslager, a three-star prospect, played defensive line and middle linebacker in college.
The Tar Heels signed three players out of Georgia.
Four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, who is committed to UNC, is no longer expected to sign during the early period after the firing of Brown. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Baker played at East Forsyth High. He is also considering Penn State.
North Carolina signees
Kamden Laudenslager, DL (Hanover, Pa.)
Trey Blue, OL (Cary)
Byron Nelson, OL (Katy, Texas)
Evan Haynes, WR (Milton, Ga.)
Javion Butts, DB (Gray, Ga.)
Devin Ancrum, DL (Buford, Ga.)
Demon June, RB (Jacksonville)