2025 safety Julien Horton commits to North Carolina

Bel Air (Md.) three-star safety Julien Horton has committed to North Carolina, he announced on Thursday morning.

He chose the Tar Heels following his decommitment from Maryland earlier this month on June 23.

Horton is the No. 925 overall prospect and No. 72 safety in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 29 player in Maryland.

The Tar Heels jumped in the mix for the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder with an offer on May 7. He took an official visit to Chapel Hill over the weekend and is now in the mix for Mack Brown and Co.

UNC owns Top-25 recruiting class

Horton becomes commitment No. 11 for the Tar Heels this cycle. The class ranks No. 24 in the nation and No. 4 in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Three blue-chip prospects highlight UNC’s pledge list entering July. Gainesville (Ga.) four-star offensive tackle Alex Payne committed back in January, is a top-150 overall recruit and is also the No. 12 tackle in the nation.

Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth four-star quarterback Bryce Baker has continued to see his stock rise ahead of his senior season and is now the No. 21 QB in the cycle. Baker competed at the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles earlier this month and was a top performer for On3’s Charles Power.

“Bryce Baker turned in one of the better 7-on-7 showings on Day 3 at the Elite 11 Finals, as we charted him on target on 19 of 25 passes for five touchdowns,” Power wrote. “The North Carolina pledge did a great job of finding open receivers and delivering catchable passes that allowed for maximum yards after catch. Baker also was a Top Performer on Day 1, showing a strong downfield arm. Baker’s combination of physical tools and multiple strong showings this off-season have him looking like an ascending prospect entering his senior season at Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth.”

The class also features Burlington (Ky.) Cooper four-star EDGE Austin Alexander, a top-30 player at his position and the No. 3 recruit in the Bluegrass. Horton is the second safety to join the fold for the Tar Heels, as he joins Gray (Ga.) Jones County three-star SAF Javion Butts.