3-star TE Ryan Ward commits to North Carolina Tar Heels

Rutherford (N.J.) three-star tight end Ryan Ward has announced his commitment to North Carolina. He chose the Tar Heels over Boston College, UCF and Virginia among others.

Ward is the No. 808 overall prospect and No. 35 tight end in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 15 player in New Jersey.

I’M HOME TAR HEEL NATION🐏🐏🐏

Thank you @CoachMackBrown @CoachFKitchens @julianrowecohen @__alexwhite @coachryan04 @ruthblldgsfbll pic.twitter.com/3GU2I3VzMD

— Ryan Ward 6’4 240 ‘24⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@ryanward__1) April 16, 2023

On3 rates Ward higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Even though he is not ranked in the 2024 On300, Ward is the No. 30 tight end in the country.

Ward is North Carolina’s fourth commit this month. The others are Ramseur (N.C.) Eastern Randolph three-star offensive tackle Jani Norwood, Alpharetta (Ga.) Mill Creek three-star interior offensive lineman Aidan Banfield and Brentwood (Tenn.) Franklin Road Academy three-star offensive tackle Luke Masterson.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound recruit is now the 10th member of North Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class. The others are Banfield, Masterwood, Norwood, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep four-star running back Davion Gause, Ball Ground (Ga.) Creekview three-star offensive tackle Andrew Rosinski, Arden (N.C.) Christ School three-star athlete Khalil Conley, Eatonton (Ga.) Gatewood School three-star linebacker Evan Bennett, Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth three-star interior offensive lineman Desmond Jackson and Germantown (Tenn.) EDGE Daniel Anderson.

The Tar Heels’ group is currently No. 24 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 4 in the ACC. Head coach Mack Brown and his staff are still after multiple blue-chip targets, including Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M. Cummings four-star wide receiver Jonathan Paylor and Marietta (Ga.) Walton On3 four-star linebacker Ashton Woods.

“I love UNC,” Woods told On3’s Jeremy Johnson on Feb. 15 “The relationship just keeps building. It’s built with coach (Tommy) Thigpin, Lonnie (Galloway), the recruiting coordinator and the receivers coach, but he’s always reaching out and checking on us. I’ve started talking to coach (Gene) Chizik and even Mack Brown.”

North Carolina notched a top-35 class in 2023

Last cycle, North Carolina’s recruiting class finished No. 31 in the 2023 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 5 in the ACC. It included 20 players and was composed of 5 four-stars, as well as 15 three-stars. 

Five of those recruits were among the top 20 players in North Carolina: Maiden (N.C.) four-star wide receiver Chris Culliver, Durham (N.C.) Southern four-star EDGE Jaybron Harvey, Cary (N.C.) Panther Creek four-star EDGE Tyler Thompson, Harrisburg (N.C.) Hickory Ridge four-star wide receiver Christian Hamilton and Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough three-star quarterback Tad Hudson.

All of the aforementioned players outside of Hudson chose the Tar Heels between June 29 and July 4. North Carolina also signed Richmond (Va.) Benedictine four-star defensive lineman Joel Starlings, the No. 310 overall prospect and No. 41 defensive lineman in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking.