4-star EDGE Austin Alexander commits to North Carolina

Burlington (Ky.) Cooper four-star EDGE Austin Alexander has committed to North Carolina, he announced on Friday.

Anderson plays both sides of the ball at the high school level, but is being recruited as an EDGE defender by colleges.

As a junior, he totaled 67 receptions for 1,138 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he had 81 tackles, 19 sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

As a sophomore, he notched 85 total tackles, 11 sacks, an interception, and on offense caught 34 passes for 522 yards and six touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is the No. 297 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 30 EDGE and No. 3 recruit in Kentucky.

Alexander adds to burgeoning 2025 class for Tar Heels

After finishing just outside the top 25 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings in the 2024 cycle, Brown and Co. are looking to improve on that in 2025.

The seven early commitments, two of whom rank among the top 300 players nationally, will go a long ways toward that. The class is headlined by Gainesville (Ga.) four-star offensive Alex Payne, who committed in January, and four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, who gave the Tar Heels a verbal last summer.

Payne was one of On3’s top performers from the Under Armour Next camp in Atlanta earlier this spring, drawing high praise from Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power.

“We didn’t see an offensive lineman move as well as Alex Payne on Sunday at Under Armour Atlanta,” Power wrote. “The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder showed light-footed athleticism both in drills and during 1-on-1’s. The Gainesville (Ga.) High product carries his weight very well and made easy work of movement drills. He flashed advanced skills in pass protection, quickly getting depth within his set. Payne had two strong reps in 1-on-1’s, beating Tyler Atkinson – a smaller, quick pass rusher – to the edge and showing the ability to anchor on contact. “Payne committed to North Carolina on January 17.”