Beast of the Hill returns Friday

Friday's Beast of The Hill 7 on 7 camp on the North Carolina campus will be the final organized summer recruiting event for the Tar Heels as training camp inches around the corner.

The Beast of the Hill event, which is entering its fourth year, has gained popularity in recent summers, and this year it will feature some of the top high school programs in North Carolina and surrounding states.

Two of the headliners are a pair of favorites to compete for state titles this fall in North Carolina's 4-A ranks---Charlotte Mallard Creek and Durham Hillside.

Just between those two teams there's a wealth of UNC commitments and prospects, including three pledges---Mallard Creek's Brian Walker and Hillside's Korrin Wiggins and Khris Francis---and targets including Rivals 100 star wide receiver Marquez North and Hillside 2014 standouts Donte Williams and Trevion Thompson.

North told us he suffered a minor groin injury diving for a ball last Friday at the Wake Forest 7 on 7 camp, in which Mallard Creek came in second to Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes.

North doesn't expect the groin setback to hinder the start of the season, but it is up in the air as to whether he'll play on Friday, especially if North plays.

Hillside won last year's Beast of the Hill, but certainly Mallard Creek could give them a run for their money on Friday.

A couple other in-state schools that could give Hillside and Mallard Creek trouble is Raleigh Wakefield, featuring UNC commitment Jordan Fieulleteau and his quarterback, South Carolina pledge Connor Mitch, and Raleigh Leesville Road, winners of the inaugural two Beast of the Hills (2009 and 2010), and this time around featuring 2014 wide receiver talent Braxton Berrios, who has an early UNC offer.

In all we've confirmed approximately 16 schools that are scheduled to appear, including Mallard Creek, Hillside, Wakefield, Leesville Road, Carrboro (N.C.), Raleigh (N.C.) Wake Christian, Daniel (S.C.), Wilmington (N.C.) Hoggard, Union (S.C.), Spring Lake (N.C.) Overhills, Durham (N.C.) Jordan, Richmond (Va.) Hermitage, Raleigh Enloe, East Chapel Hill, Hampton (Va.) Elite 7-5-7, and Raleigh Ravenscroft.

In addition to the quartet of UNC commitments and handful of top uncommitted targets expected to participate in 7 on 7, we've confirmed through various sources that the Tar Heel staff will also welcome some specific prospects for individual workouts and visits that may or may not involved the 7 on 7 event.

One such player, Winston-Salem (N.C.) Parkland 2014 defensive tackle Deshaywn MIddleton, told Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt that he's looking to have a big day in Chapel Hill in front of the UNC staff.

"I am just going to go up there, do my best and have another great camp," Middleton said. "I have been having a lot of contact with them - probably every two weeks. We talk about my position, how they would use me and I let them know the type of progress I am making."

Tarboro (N.C.) Class of 2013 defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis also confirmed via Twitter that he's planning to be in Chapel Hill on Friday, although it remains to be seen if he'll work out or not.

A couple other players that we've confirmed through various sources as likely to attend on Friday includes Keion Adams, a 2014 defensive end from Salisbury (N.C.), and Darwyn Kelly, a 2013 DB from Washington (D.C.) Woodson who claims a UNC offer.

""I'm going up to North Carolina next Friday. That will be my first time up there," Kelly told THI's Justin Rowland. ""Coach Dan Disch is recruiting me. Me and him have a real close relationship. They (UNC) were the first school to offer me and we've been talking a lot, probably once a week. I can't wait to get up there and see the school and talk to them in person."

Tar Heel Illustrated will have complete coverage of Friday's Beast of the Hill 7 on 7 event in Chapel Hill.