2/1/2017 football Edit

Cooper Graham Commits

Cooper Graham's commitment late Tuesday night gives UNC two placekickers in the class of 2017. (Citizen Times)

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

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Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

North Carolina will welcome two placekickers to the class of 2017 after Cooper Graham announced late Tuesday night he will attend UNC and kick for the Tar Heels.

Graham, 5-10, 180 pounds, is originally from Asheville, NC, but spent his senior season kicking at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Noah Ruggles committed a few days ago, and now Graham makes it two kickers for the Tar Heels.

“It’s been a long and hard process, but I have made my decision to spend my next 4 years playing football at the University of Chapel Hill,” Graham wrote on Twitter late Tuesday night. “Cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for me and I am ready to get started on the next chapter in life.”

UNC must find a replacement for Nick Weiler, who graduated and has moved on. Still on the roster is Freeman Jones, who will be a junior and came in highly touted a couple of years ago, and Ruggles.

For Graham, Carolina was a school he’s wanted to be a part of all along.

“I think Chapel Hill as a school is like no other,” he told THI. “The football program is top notch and the coaching staff is a great. Being there for 4 years would be a great experience. Their academics is like no other school in the nation, and for pre dentistry I think that program would fit me well in the future.”