North Carolina flips 2025 RB Joseph Troupe from Temple

Tampa Berkeley Prep three-star running back Joseph Troupe has flipped his commitment from Temple to North Carolina, he announced on Sunday.

He was pledged to the Owls since June, but is now the latest senior prospect to choose the Tar Heels after landing an offer from head coach Bill Belichick and Co. in Chapel Hill.

Troupe is the No. 102 running back and No. 173 player in Florida in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the No. 1,316 prospect overall.

Make it five 2025 commitments for UNC in January. The new staff continues to seek top talent to fill out a slim incoming recruiting class and Troupe is the latest member to join the fold.

One of the top players on Berkeley Prep, Troupe rushed for over 3,400 yards and more than 40 touchdowns across his high school career. The Buccaneers finished with a 7-5 record in 2024.

North Carolina continues to beef up 2025 class

On Saturday, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star linebacker Lantz Pascal committed to the Tar Heels. With Troupe now also in the fold alongside Pascal, UNC’s 2025 class now features 16 total commits.

January has also seen the Tar Heels add Norfolk (Va.) Maury three-star quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk and Los Angeles King Drew three-star EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro to the mix. The class now ranks No. 60 in the nation and No. 15 in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The 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 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.