Six Heels Enroll Early
Six members of North Carolina football recruiting class of 2018 have enrolled early and are now on campus.
Each has already signed his official letter of intent, taking advantage of the early signing period Dec. 20. Two of the early enrollees are among the last three players to commit to UNC, Kyle Wright and Javonte Williams.
Also among the six player are 4-star wide receiver Dyami Brown, 4-star quarterback Jace Ruder, 3-star defensive back Bryson Richardson and 3-star quarterback Cade Fortin.
Here are their bios:
Four-star prospect who is ranked No. 12 nationally as a dual-threat quarterback and No. 190 overall by Rivals • Rated as the No. 317 player in the country, the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 1 player in Kansas by the 247Sports composite • Considered the No. 23 quarterback and the top player in Kansas by ESPN.com 8 • Threw for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,032 yards and 15 scores as a senior • Also had 43 tackles and four interceptions on defense and handled kicking and punting duties as well • Earned all-league honors at both quarterback and punter • Led Norton to a spot in the Kansas state 3A playoffs • Coached by Lucas Melvin at Norton Community • Son of John and Jennifer Ruder.
Listed as the No. 5 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 32 overall wide receiver by ESPN.com and is a member of the ESPN300 • Considered a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports • Ranked as the No. 20 overall wide receiver and No. 110 nationally by Rivals • Also ranked No. 171 nationally in the 247Sports composite • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Led West Mecklenburg High School to a spot in the second round of the state 4A playoffs • Caught 41 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior • Added five rushing scores • Finished his junior year with 999 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding five interceptions at defensive back • Coached by Jarvis Davis at West Meck • Son of Charles Brown and Tamiko Patterson.
Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, who lists him as the No. 17 player nationally at his position and the No. 39 player in Georgia • Also considered then No. 19 pro-style quarterback and the No. 50 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Ranked No. 34 at his position and No. 74 in Georgia by Rivals • Missed most of his senior season due to injury, but threw for 1,841 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior • Also ran for 512 yards and three touchdowns • Played in the Georgia Elite All-Star Classic following his junior season • Was nominated for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl prior to his senior year • Coached by Bill Stewart at North Gwinnett • Son of Troy and Debi Fortin.
Ranked as the No. 37 safety nationally and the No. 83 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 60 safety in the country and the No. 79 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Also rated as the No. 95 player in Georgia by Rivals • Playing both safety and wide receiver, led Buford to a Region 8 title and a spot in the Georgia 5A state semifinals • Coached by John Ford at Buford • Son of Gary and Michele Richardson.
Ranked No. 9 overall in the state of South Carolina and the No. 28 inside linebacker nationally according to 247Sports • Considered the No. 23 player in South Carolina and the No. 73 linebacker by ESPN.com • Led Ben Lippen to the second round of the SCISA AAA playoffs as a senior after winning the state title as a junior • Playing both linebacker and running back as a senior, rushed for 1,854 yards and 22 touchdowns and had nine tackles for loss • Registered 128 tackles as a junior, including 80 solo stops • Played in the SCISA All-Star game and was a finalist for the Richland One/Two Player of the Year award • Coached by Derek White at Ben Lippen • Son of Victor Wright and Wendy Keene.
Rated the No. 93 player in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports • Led Wallace-Rose Hill to its fourth straight state title as a senior, scoring a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, which was held at Kenan Stadium • Earned MVP honors after finishing the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns • Finished his senior year with 2,271 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns • Also caught 13 passes for 363 yards and five scores • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Coached by Kevin Motsinger at Wallace-Rose Hill • Son of Jermaine and Shekemia Williams.
- UNC Communications contributed to this report