UConn transfer edge rusher Pryce Yates commits to North Carolina

Former Connecticut edge rusher Pryce Yates will transfer to play for North Carolina in 2025, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. He spent the past four seasons with the Huskies and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

After redshirting as a true freshman, Yates would go on to appear in 32 games over the next three seasons as a starter. He ended his career at UConn with 108 total tackles (29.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defended.

Yates missed the first two months of this past season due to injury, returning to appear in the Huskies’ final seven games. He ended the year with 21 total tackles (6.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks while playing mostly on the defensive line.

As a recruit in the 2021 class, Yates was a three-star prospect out of Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas. He ranked as the No. 1,820 overall player and the No. 182 edge rusher in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Yates did not play any games in his first year, but would go on to play in 12 and start nine the following season. He had his true breakout in 2023 as a redshirt sophomore to finish with 42 tackles (14 for loss), 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The 6-foot-4 defender ranks as the No. 1,008 overall player and No. 84 edge rusher according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He is the 13th overall player and the third defensive lineman added in the portal for the Tar Heels, which hired former NFL coach Bill Belichick this offseason.

The portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 and closed on Dec. 28. However, players on teams still playing in the postseason will get an additional five-day window to enter the portal after their seasons end.

More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers.

So far this cycle, 2,522 players have entered the transfer portal with 1,066 of those already having committed to new schools.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.