North Carolina climbs in On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings

North Carolina notched its latest win on the recruiting trail Monday when Richmond (Va.) Varina four-star linebacker Kaveion Keys committed to the Tar Heels. His decision elevated North Carolina’s 2023 recruiting class to No. 21 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. The Tar Heels’ group, which also ranks No. 5 in the ACC, rose three spots from No. 24.

Keys is the No. 314 overall prospect and No. 28 linebacker in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 5 player in Virginia. 

On3 rates him higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2023 On300, Keys is the No. 180 overall prospect, No. 15 linebacker and No. 3 player in Virginia.

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Keys gives North Carolina its latest summer recruiting win

North Carolina has found success this past week, landing three commitments. They include Keys, Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch three-star wide receiver Paul Billups and Manassas (Va.) Unity Reed’s Amare Campbell.

The Tar Heels are also making inroads in Virginia. North Carolina currently has six commitments from the state in Keys, Billups, Campbell, Richmond (Va.) four-star defensive lineman Joel Starlings, Stafford (Va.) Colonial Forge three-star offensive tackle Nolan McConnell and Ashburn (Va.) Loudoun Valley three-star tight end Julien Randolph.

Additionally, head coach Mack Brown and his staff have recruited in-state at a high level. The program has pledges from four of North Carolina’s top 12 players in Durham (N.C.) Southern four-star EDGE Jaybron Harvey, Hickory (N.C.) four-star EDGE Rico Walker, Harrisburg (N.C.) Hickory Ridge four-star Christian Hamilton and Maiden (N.C.) four-star Chris Gulliver.

Currently, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine heavily favors the Tar Heels to land another blue-chip player from North Carolina. Concord (N.C.) Jay M. Robinson four-star defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs, the No. 170 overall prospect and No. 2 player in North Carolina, is given a 91.9% chance to commit to the Tar Heels, according to the RPM.

Most importantly, Keys continued North Carolina’s summer recruiting momentum. They have landed four other commitments this month in Billups, Campbell, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes three-star defensive lineman Joshua Horton and Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough three-star quarterback Tad Hudson.

July brought even more success. North Carolina earned pledges from four of the top five players in their class in Culliver, Hamilton, Harvey and Walker. The Tar Heels also notched commitments from Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb three-star interior offensive lineman Robert Grigsby and Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman three-star interior offensive lineman DJ Geth in early July. 

North Carolina also earned five commitments in June. Two of them, Edmond (Okla.) Deer Creek three-star cornerback Dale Miller and Cary (N.C.) Panther Creek three-star EDGE Tyler Thompson, are top-675 prospects.