After nine of North Carolina’s top 10 football prospects went out of state to pursue collegiate careers last year, North Carolina football coach Larry Fedora said signing in-state talent would be a point of emphasis for the class of 2013.
He followed through with that promise Wednesday on National Signing Day by signing seven players from North Carolina as a part of his second recruiting class as the head coach of the Tar Heels.
Fedora received 17 letters of intent for his class of 2013 that ranks 40th nationally and 6th in the ACC, according to Rivals.com.
ESPN ranks this year’s class as the 18th best in the country.
“It’s still the basis of our recruiting, and we’re always going to go after the in-state kids first,” Fedora said. “We have to do a great job evaluating those kids, and we want every one of those kids that we feel can help us win a championship and can be successful in the classroom here.
“We want them to stay here at home.”
In his first year with North Carolina, Fedora received letters of intent from six in-state players. His top get was quarterback James Summers, ranked No. 9 in the state, who hasn’t yet made it to Chapel Hill.
Rivals.com puts five of this year’s seven North Carolina players in the top-30 prospects from the state, including the No. 2 player, Rivals.com four-star running back T.J. Logan, a product of Northern Guilford High in Greensboro.
Logan, a Parade All-American honorable mention, led his team to an undefeated season and North Carolina 3AA championship in his senior season. In the title game he set North Carolina High School Athletic Association records with 510 yards and eight touchdowns.
“It was kind of mind boggling actually,” Fedora said. “You’re talking about the two best teams in the state in their classification. You’re talking about the state championship, and the guy rushes for eight touchdowns and for over 510 yards in a game.
