Inside Look at 6 New Signees Who Could Really Shine

On Wednesday, North Carolina Football Coach Mack Brown held a National Signing Day press conference, where he talked about the addition of 27 total members to the Class of 2024 cycle for UNC.

With 14 additions on offense, 12 additions on defense, and the presence of Lucas Osada, a dynamic high school kicking specialist from Woodberry Forest, VA, the No. 22-ranked group is well-balanced already preparing to get rolling for the next season. Already, 11 of them are with the Tar Heels as they prepare for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 27 against West Virginia.

As part of National Signing Day, we broke down the class, unpacking the characteristics that could make six of the signees sleepers to watch and could make a major impact on Carolina in the future.

The No. 24 ranked SDE, the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is tied for No. 1 in weight among top prospects with Eddrick Houston of Buford, GA, an Ohio State signee, but doesn’t look like it. Moves light on his feet. Seamlessly moved large offensive lineman, many appearing to possess Division 1 size. A physical force in a talent-stacked Tampa area. Built like an ox. Disrupted flow of offenses, recording not just 108 tackles and 20 tackles for loss, and nine sacks but 30 hurries and one blocked field goal in a breakout senior season.

Moved line with force and elite speed and feels his way to the ball carrier. Flashes to the ball maniacally in search of making the play. Fast edge rusher. Explosive and drives his feet to finish reps.

Pesansky didn’t just do his job at a defensive lineman, but was simple entertainment to watch. That doesn’t always happen when scouting high school football players. Also recorded 30 hurries and one blocked field goal, but abilities seemingly can’t be described in a stat line. You’ll just have to watch for yourself.

He brings the Tar Heels a unique skillset.

A prospect whose father that played in the NFL, selected in the 8th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, Willie Green won two Super Bowl with the Broncos, spending nearly a decade in the league. Vari could become a coveted piece in Chip Lindsey’s offense, with deceptive speed potentially helping set the tone for balanced attack.

Fluid hips and crisp cuts on routes make him a reliable target on short and intermediate routes. Sharp, decisive breaks allow for quick receptions. Despite not possessing prototypical height, his lower center of gravity provides him with agility and quick change of direction.

With speed, can stretch the field vertically. Has the ability to excel on deep routes in the Power 5, but could provide immediate impact as a dangerous complement to Alex Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 175-pounder of Greensboro, and Jordan Shipp, a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder of Charlotte, as mid-range target allowing Tar Heels to keep the chains moving while looking to establish running and deep passing games.

Instate product with potential to provide underrated, early presence to Tar Heels’ defense that is No. 99 in the NCAA and dead last in the ACC. He can play man or zone. Ability to play regular and deep coverages but can still venture far-off man and still track down the ball if needed. Utilizes good footwork to follow the ball when defending the deep pass, where can keep feet inbounds to haul in interceptions from deep in the coverage.

Track star can even provide impact when play goes completely awry. Speed, dedication to finishing the play, and sheer will allows Ziglar to track down receivers and running backs totaling yards after the catch or on their way to score to strip the ball or prevent a touchdown, potentially changing the course of would-be game altering play to the favor of his team.

Twitchy, rangy all-around playmaker is an all-around athlete with explosive, breakaway speed that provided a major presence at running back for Fuquay-Varina. Ziglar, a consistent threat to score on both sides of the ball in high school. Utilized 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame as a dangerous rusher, providing physical force and speed, running over defenders as back in off-tackle draw-ups.

Versatile athlete from Bishop Verot High School proved he could do it all playing against tough competition in Fort Myers, FL, lining up at wide receiver and blocking with unnatural aggression as a tight end. While not recruited as edge rusher in the Power 5, dog mentality partly comes from playing both sides of the football, Lawson rushing the edge as a hybrid defensive end in high school.

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, big target with good hands. Explosive off the line of scrimmage. Large and elusive athlete is a mean blocker, a trait that could prove extremely valuable. Could be a crucial player for Carolina in check-down and goal line situations in key moments. Already has size for the position, and has easy potential to gain necessary weight and muscle when arriving on campus in Chapel Hill.

A fantastic pitcher in baseball, Lawson will also play for the Diamond Heels.

Good anticipation, along with marked lateral, side-to-side motion. Must have finished his drills in practices. Reads the quarterback well, focusing as the play develops. Verbal communicator, leading his teammates through pre-snap reads to help them get to the-ball carrier. Heavy hitter with dangerous, flashy speed, and most importantly, gets low and finishes the play.

Follows the ball and sniffs out run plays, whether option, draw, off-tackle, or other. Cheetah mentality when rushing the quarterback with both speed and tackling ability, the signal-caller sometimes appearing to resemble prey. Excels in two hybrid positions, simultaneously stopping while covering short and mid-range passes, and via rushing the quarterback as linebacker and edge rusher.

Athletic, twitchy build with lengthy, rangy arms. Not just strong, lean frame, but mindset, dedication to relentless pursuit of ball-carriers and receivers, aggressive nature, allow him to stand out.

Was at Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Kickoff Classic and state championship. Could return for major Tar Heels’ bowl game, or perhaps, playing on Sundays. Not projecting him as an NFL talent right now, but what do I know? Only time will tell.

Compares similarly to Ashton Woods. Epitomizes the words, “football player.” Speedy, old-school smashmouth hitter who can tackle on multiple levels with similar physicality and finish should be prepared for the job in Chapel Hill. A player that could epitomize what Mack Brown is looking for in program culture. Described himself as “pumped” to get to campus to play alongside his brother, who saw action at special teams after transferring from Vanderbilt.

Should be ready to absorb knowledge and learn concepts. He said his brother already on the team “gives me an advantage. Just being able to (absorb) the playbook early and study with him.

It’s going to be good to watch film together when I get there.”

His earlier interview points to a program player and dedicated mindset. He could play on the second team but still contribute. Law gives the impression of a hard worker that will stay on campus all four years to earn the starting job.

Stays square, focused, and positioned, keeps his eyes trained on the target. Just like a wide receiver-defensive back, playing both sides of the ball should help with preparation. Provided explosive and physical presence at running back. Will be prepared to run through a brick wall at linebacker, the equivalent to the position on defense. Has heart and could be best high school linebacker in the class, but Woods’ skillset may translate as better overall talent at Power 5 level.”

At the end of the day it’s not the offense holding UNC back from their potential of becoming a true competitor in the ACC, Chip Lindsey’ group turning in another impressive performance for the Tar Heels, averaging 36.6 points per game.

As Carolina shoots to return to the prominent levels they have rarely attained outside of 1980 under Dick Crum (11-1) and 1996-1997 in Mack Brown’s first regime, it will once again boil down to the defense, whether it be for the Class of 2024 or returning personnel already tenured in the program.

But Brown has provided much-needed consistency, culture, and recruiting prowess to the Tar Heels. The meshing of talents and teamwork from players like Pesansky, Ziglar, Woods, Law and others will be crucial if the Tar Heels want to move from bowl game to conference championship program in the future.

With Florida State and Clemson proving steep competition, major success can still be attained with the induction of the 12-team playoff, providing the Tar Heels the potential chance to reach a major goal they’ve never accomplished before.

The incoming cycle possesses proven players and a winning mindset, but major improvements will still need to be made if UNC wants to reach that level. Still, the 2024 class has the pieces in place to build a potential strong base for the future in Chapel Hill.