2025 EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro, former SMU signee, commits to North Carolina

Los Angeles King Drew three-star EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro has committed to North Carolina, according to 247Sports’ Greg Biggins.

Onyeagoro originally signed with SMU last month, but was granted his release on Thursday and is now set to head to Chapel Hill and play under new head coach Bill Belichick.

Onyeagoro is the No. 516 overall prospect and No. 48 EDGE 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. 40 player in California.

He now joins a slim 2025 recruiting class for UNC as a welcomed addition for Belichick and his new staff. Seven prospects have signed with the Tar Heels in the 2025 cycle, headlined by four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, a top-100 recruit and the No. 10 QB in the nation.

North Carolina’s class ranks No. 70 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Onyeagoro was an elite playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for King Drew, racking up 107 total tackles and 20 sacks during his senior season, per MaxPreps. Across his last three seasons, he’s tallied 263 tackles and 58 sacks.

More on North Carolina Recruiting

While Belichick and Co. are already hitting the trail hard when it comes to 2026 prospects, they’ve now added a piece to their incoming 2025 class in 6-foot-2.5, 225-pound Onyeagoro.

Baker is the key piece to the puzzle and potential QB of the future in Chapel Hill. The Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth four-star signal-caller reaffirmed his pledge to UNC after Belichick was hired.

“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 On300 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.