2025 RB Jaylon Nichols commits to North Carolina
Monroe (La.) Neville running back Jaylon Nichols has committed to North Carolina, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder is set to sign with the Tar Heels on Wednesday, just two days after landing an offer from UNC general manager Michael Lombardi.
Nichols is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and is now the third running back in the mix for new head coach Bill Belichick and the UNC staff. He joins Jacksonville (N.C.) three-star Demon June and Tampa Berkeley Prep three-star Joseph Troupe, both of whom are also set to sign with the ACC program this week.
North Carolina still has plenty of prospects to sign this week, as Belichick and Co. made some serious headway on the recruiting trail following the December signing period. The addition of Nichols means the Tar Heels now have 16 unsigned commits in their class.
Eight recruits committed to UNC last month, including Los Angeles King Drew three-star EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro, a former SMU signee. Norfolk (Va.) Maury three-star quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII three-star linebacker Tyler Houser and Buford (Ga.) three-star defensive lineman Nicco Maggio are among those that pledged in January.
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Belichick bulks up 2025 class ahead of signing day
Nichols is the fourth prospect to commit to the Tar Heels this month, alongside Baltimore St. John’s Catholic Prep three-star tight end Kenedy Uzoma, Lakeland (Fla.) WR Shanard Clower and Brooklyn Erasmus Hall DL Kamarion Thomas.
The 2025 class is centered around Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth four-star quarterback Bryce Baker. The in-state gunslinger is a top-100 recruit and the No. 10 QB in the nation. He stayed loyal to the home team, keeping his commitment true as UNC transitioned from Mack Brown to Belichick.
“I just feel like with Belichick coming in they can provide that next-level development I didn’t have the opportunity to have with other options I was looking at,” Baker told On3. “Belichick coming from the NFL and the first-hand experience he has for what it takes to be the best.”
Other signees in the class include: Gray (Ga.) Jones County three-star safety Javion Butts, Katy (Texas) three-star interior offensive lineman Byron Nelson, Roswell (Ga.) Fellowship Christian three-star wide receiver Evan Haynes and Cary (N.C.) three-star offensive tackle Trey Blue.