University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Inks Fourteen In Early Signing Period
December 20, 2017 | Football
CHAPEL HILL --- North Carolina head football coach Larry Fedora signed 14 prospective football student-athletics to National Letters of Intent Wednesday on the first day of the new early signing period.
"It was a good day today," Fedora said Wednesday afternoon in a press conference at Kenan Football Center. "We had 14 guys sign - not many surprises, which is a good thing. Everything came in just as we thought they would...so it's been a good day."
The class, which will be completed during the late signing period in February, currently features seven players on offense and seven players on defense.
2018 NORTH CAROLINA SIGNEES
Jordyn Adams
Wide Receiver
6-1, 180
Cary, N.C. • Green Hope
Listed as the No. 7 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 36 overall wide receiver by ESPN.com and is a member of the ESPN300 • Considered a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports • Ranked No. 75 nationally by the 247Sports composite and No. 90 by Rivals • Selected to play in the U.S Army All-American Bowl in January • Also earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Caught 54 passes for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season • Tied a state record with three punt return touchdowns in a single game • Helped lead Green Hope to the Triangle 6 conference title and the state 4AA quarterfinals • Played quarterback as a junior at Blythewood High School in South Carolina, throwing for 2,350 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushing for 793 yards and 11 scores • Coached by David Green at Green Hope • Son of Deke and Alexis Adams • His father is the defensive line coach at UNC.
Dyami Brown
Wide Receiver
6-1, 180
Charlotte, N.C. • West Mecklenburg
Listed as the No. 5 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 32 overall wide receiver by ESPN.com and is a member of the ESPN300 • Considered a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports • Ranked as the No. 20 overall wide receiver and No. 110 nationally by Rivals • Also ranked No. 171 nationally in the 247Sports composite • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Led West Mecklenburg High School to a spot in the second round of the state 4A playoffs • Caught 41 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior • Added five rushing scores • Finished his junior year with 999 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding five interceptions at defensive back • Coached by Jarvis Davis at West Meck • Son of Charles Brown and Tamiko Patterson.
Chris Collins
Defensive End
6-4, 215
Richmond, Va. • Benedictine College Prep
Rated the No. 9 player in the state of Virginia and one of the top 500 players in the country by 247Sports • Also considered the No. 7 player in Virginia by Rivals and the No. 14 player in the state by ESPN.com • Helped lead Benedictine to the VISAA playoffs as a senior • Had 25 tackles, five sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception during his junior season • Also played tight end for Benedictine as well as being a member of the basketball team • Active in the Corps of Cadets as a company commander • Coached by Greg Lilly at Benedictine • Son of LaTanya Collins and Kevin Coles.
Cade Fortin
Quarterback
6-2, 207
Suwanee, Ga. • North Gwinnett
Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, who lists him as the No. 17 player nationally at his position and the No. 39 player in Georgia • Also considered then No. 19 pro-style quarterback and the No. 50 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Ranked No. 34 at his position and No. 74 in Georgia by Rivals • Missed most of his senior season due to injury, but threw for 1,841 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior • Also ran for 512 yards and three touchdowns • Played in the Georgia Elite All-Star Classic following his junior season • Was nominated for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl prior to his senior year • Coached by Bill Stewart at North Gwinnett • Son of Troy and Debi Fortin.
Avery Jones
Offensive Line
6-4, 285
Havelock, N.C. • Havelock
Four-star prospect who is considered the No. 13 player nationally at his position and the No. 12 player in North Carolina by the 247Sports composite • Also among the top 300 overall players in the country according to 247Sports • Rated No. 12 in the state, No. 24 at his position and No. 156 in the south by ESPN.com • Ranked No. 19 in the state and No. 26 at his position by Rivals • Also played defensive tackle and led Havelock to 14-2 record, a Coastal 3A conference title and a spot in the 3A state title game • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Coached by Caleb King at Havelock • Son of Sandra Frazier.
Devon Lawrence
Running Back
5-11, 190
Wake Forest, N.C. • Wake Forest
Considered a four-star prospect by Rivals, who rank him as the No. 12 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 12 running back in the country • Rated the No. 16 player in North Carolina and the No. 19 running back nationally by the 247Sports composite • Ranked No. 17 in North Carolina and No. 26 nationally at running back by ESPN.com • Rushed for 1,485 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior • Also caught 18 passes for 242 yards and two scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown • Teammate of fellow signee Javon Terry at Wake Forest, where they led the Cougars to back-to-back NCHSAA 4AA state titles, the first for a Wake County team in 29 years • Earned title game MVP honors after gaining 144 all-purpose yards and scoring a late touchdown to seal the win • Rushed for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons • Also played with current Tar Heel Xach Gill • Coached by Reggie Lucas at Wake Forest • Son of Julia and Derrick Parker.
Trey Morrison
Defensive Back
5-10, 187
Norcross, Ga. • Greater Atlanta Christian
Rated the No. 64 athlete and the No. 76 player in the state of Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Considered the No. 91 cornerback nationally and the No. 110 player in Georgia by ESPN.com • Also ranked No. 73 in Georgia and No. 77 nationally at cornerback by Rivals • Scored five touchdowns as a senior at wide receiver, leading Greater Atlanta Christian to a 12-2 record and a state semifinal appearance • Had four interceptions and 47 total tackles as a junior, leading GAC to a spot in the state title game • Earned all-county honors at defensive back from the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett as a senior • Coached by Tim Hardy at Greater Atlanta Christian • Son of Troy and Tracey Morrison.
Bryson Richardson
Defensive Back
6-0, 180
Buford, Ga. • Buford
Ranked as the No. 37 safety nationally and the No. 83 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 60 safety in the country and the No. 79 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Also rated as the No. 95 player in Georgia by Rivals • Playing both safety and wide receiver, led Buford to a Region 8 title and a spot in the Georgia 5A state semifinals • Coached by John Ford at Buford • Son of Gary and Michele Richardson.
Jace Ruder
Quarterback
6-1, 203
Norton, Kansas • Norton Community
Four-star prospect who is ranked No. 12 nationally as a dual-threat quarterback and No. 190 overall by Rivals • Rated as the No. 317 player in the country, the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 1 player in Kansas by the 247Sports composite • Considered the No. 23 quarterback and the top player in Kansas by ESPN.com 8 • Threw for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,032 yards and 15 scores as a senior • Also had 43 tackles and four interceptions on defense and handled kicking and punting duties as well • Earned all-league honors at both quarterback and punter • Led Norton to a spot in the Kansas state 3A playoffs • Coached by Lucas Melvin at Norton Community • Son of John and Jennifer Ruder.
Jahlil Taylor
Defensive Tackle
6-1, 290
Pinehurst, Ga. • Crisp County
Rated the No. 107 player in Georgia and the No. 85 defensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 139 defensive tackle nationally by the 247Sports composite • Led Crisp County to a region title and a spot in the second round of the Georgia AAA playoffs as a senior • Recorded more than 170 total tackles at Crisp County, including 82 tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a junior • Coached by Brad Harber at Crisp County • Son of Shea Daniels.
Javon Terry
Defensive Back
6-0, 180
Wake Forest, N.C. • Wake Forest
Rated the No. 26 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 48 safety in the country by Rivals • Ranked No. 41 in North Carolina and No. 73 nationally at safety by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 40 player in North Carolina and the No. 100 safety by the 247Sports composite • Teammate of fellow signee Devon Lawrence at Wake Forest, where they led the Cougars to back-to-back NCHSAA 4AA state titles, the first for a Wake County team in 29 years • Named most outstanding defensive player of the title game MVP honors after intercepting a pass late to secure the win • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Had 161 career tackles and 11 career interceptions • Finished his senior season with five interceptions and 19 passes defended • Also played with current Tar Heel Xach Gill • Coached by Reggie Lucas at Wake Forest • Son of Tara Terry.
Lancine Turay
Defensive End
6-5, 230
Newark, N.J. • Irvington
Rated the No. 24 player in the state of New Jersey and the No. 90 defensive end by ESPN.com • Ranked No. 32 in New Jersey and No. 58 nationally at strongside defensive end by the 247Sports composite • Also ranked No. 32 in the state by Rivals • Ranked No. 23 in the NJ.com Top 50 • Led Irvington High School to an unbeaten league record and a spot in the semifinals of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoffs • Had 46 total tackles and nine sacks as a senior • Also played offensive tackle • Coached by Smoke Pierre at Irvington • Son of Vakaba and Fatoumata Turay.
Kyle Wright
Linebacker
6-1, 220
Blythewood, S.C. • Ben Lippen
Ranked No. 9 overall in the state of South Carolina and the No. 28 inside linebacker nationally according to 247Sports • Considered the No. 23 player in South Carolina and the No. 73 linebacker by ESPN.com • Led Ben Lippen to the second round of the SCISA AAA playoffs as a senior after winning the state title as a junior • Playing both linebacker and running back as a senior, rushed for 1,854 yards and 22 touchdowns and had nine tackles for loss • Registered 128 tackles as a junior, including 80 solo stops • Played in the SCISA All-Star game and was a finalist for the Richland One/Two Player of the Year award • Coached by Derek White at Ben Lippen • Son of Victor Wright and Wendy Keene.
Javonte Williams
Running Back
5-11, 202
Wallace, N.C. • Wallace-Rose Hill
Rated the No. 93 player in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports • Led Wallace-Rose Hill to its fourth straight state title as a senior, scoring a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, which was held at Kenan Stadium • Earned MVP honors after finishing the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns • Finished his senior year with 2,271 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns • Also caught 13 passes for 363 yards and five scores • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Coached by Kevin Motsinger at Wallace-Rose Hill • Son of Jermaine and Shekemia Williams.
"It was a good day today," Fedora said Wednesday afternoon in a press conference at Kenan Football Center. "We had 14 guys sign - not many surprises, which is a good thing. Everything came in just as we thought they would...so it's been a good day."
The class, which will be completed during the late signing period in February, currently features seven players on offense and seven players on defense.
2018 NORTH CAROLINA SIGNEES
Jordyn Adams
Wide Receiver
6-1, 180
Cary, N.C. • Green Hope
Listed as the No. 7 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 36 overall wide receiver by ESPN.com and is a member of the ESPN300 • Considered a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports • Ranked No. 75 nationally by the 247Sports composite and No. 90 by Rivals • Selected to play in the U.S Army All-American Bowl in January • Also earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Caught 54 passes for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season • Tied a state record with three punt return touchdowns in a single game • Helped lead Green Hope to the Triangle 6 conference title and the state 4AA quarterfinals • Played quarterback as a junior at Blythewood High School in South Carolina, throwing for 2,350 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushing for 793 yards and 11 scores • Coached by David Green at Green Hope • Son of Deke and Alexis Adams • His father is the defensive line coach at UNC.
Dyami Brown
Wide Receiver
6-1, 180
Charlotte, N.C. • West Mecklenburg
Listed as the No. 5 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 32 overall wide receiver by ESPN.com and is a member of the ESPN300 • Considered a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports • Ranked as the No. 20 overall wide receiver and No. 110 nationally by Rivals • Also ranked No. 171 nationally in the 247Sports composite • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Led West Mecklenburg High School to a spot in the second round of the state 4A playoffs • Caught 41 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior • Added five rushing scores • Finished his junior year with 999 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding five interceptions at defensive back • Coached by Jarvis Davis at West Meck • Son of Charles Brown and Tamiko Patterson.
Chris Collins
Defensive End
6-4, 215
Richmond, Va. • Benedictine College Prep
Rated the No. 9 player in the state of Virginia and one of the top 500 players in the country by 247Sports • Also considered the No. 7 player in Virginia by Rivals and the No. 14 player in the state by ESPN.com • Helped lead Benedictine to the VISAA playoffs as a senior • Had 25 tackles, five sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception during his junior season • Also played tight end for Benedictine as well as being a member of the basketball team • Active in the Corps of Cadets as a company commander • Coached by Greg Lilly at Benedictine • Son of LaTanya Collins and Kevin Coles.
Cade Fortin
Quarterback
6-2, 207
Suwanee, Ga. • North Gwinnett
Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, who lists him as the No. 17 player nationally at his position and the No. 39 player in Georgia • Also considered then No. 19 pro-style quarterback and the No. 50 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Ranked No. 34 at his position and No. 74 in Georgia by Rivals • Missed most of his senior season due to injury, but threw for 1,841 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior • Also ran for 512 yards and three touchdowns • Played in the Georgia Elite All-Star Classic following his junior season • Was nominated for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl prior to his senior year • Coached by Bill Stewart at North Gwinnett • Son of Troy and Debi Fortin.
Avery Jones
Offensive Line
6-4, 285
Havelock, N.C. • Havelock
Four-star prospect who is considered the No. 13 player nationally at his position and the No. 12 player in North Carolina by the 247Sports composite • Also among the top 300 overall players in the country according to 247Sports • Rated No. 12 in the state, No. 24 at his position and No. 156 in the south by ESPN.com • Ranked No. 19 in the state and No. 26 at his position by Rivals • Also played defensive tackle and led Havelock to 14-2 record, a Coastal 3A conference title and a spot in the 3A state title game • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Coached by Caleb King at Havelock • Son of Sandra Frazier.
Devon Lawrence
Running Back
5-11, 190
Wake Forest, N.C. • Wake Forest
Considered a four-star prospect by Rivals, who rank him as the No. 12 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 12 running back in the country • Rated the No. 16 player in North Carolina and the No. 19 running back nationally by the 247Sports composite • Ranked No. 17 in North Carolina and No. 26 nationally at running back by ESPN.com • Rushed for 1,485 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior • Also caught 18 passes for 242 yards and two scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown • Teammate of fellow signee Javon Terry at Wake Forest, where they led the Cougars to back-to-back NCHSAA 4AA state titles, the first for a Wake County team in 29 years • Earned title game MVP honors after gaining 144 all-purpose yards and scoring a late touchdown to seal the win • Rushed for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons • Also played with current Tar Heel Xach Gill • Coached by Reggie Lucas at Wake Forest • Son of Julia and Derrick Parker.
Trey Morrison
Defensive Back
5-10, 187
Norcross, Ga. • Greater Atlanta Christian
Rated the No. 64 athlete and the No. 76 player in the state of Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Considered the No. 91 cornerback nationally and the No. 110 player in Georgia by ESPN.com • Also ranked No. 73 in Georgia and No. 77 nationally at cornerback by Rivals • Scored five touchdowns as a senior at wide receiver, leading Greater Atlanta Christian to a 12-2 record and a state semifinal appearance • Had four interceptions and 47 total tackles as a junior, leading GAC to a spot in the state title game • Earned all-county honors at defensive back from the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett as a senior • Coached by Tim Hardy at Greater Atlanta Christian • Son of Troy and Tracey Morrison.
Bryson Richardson
Defensive Back
6-0, 180
Buford, Ga. • Buford
Ranked as the No. 37 safety nationally and the No. 83 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 60 safety in the country and the No. 79 player in Georgia by the 247Sports composite • Also rated as the No. 95 player in Georgia by Rivals • Playing both safety and wide receiver, led Buford to a Region 8 title and a spot in the Georgia 5A state semifinals • Coached by John Ford at Buford • Son of Gary and Michele Richardson.
Jace Ruder
Quarterback
6-1, 203
Norton, Kansas • Norton Community
Four-star prospect who is ranked No. 12 nationally as a dual-threat quarterback and No. 190 overall by Rivals • Rated as the No. 317 player in the country, the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 1 player in Kansas by the 247Sports composite • Considered the No. 23 quarterback and the top player in Kansas by ESPN.com 8 • Threw for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,032 yards and 15 scores as a senior • Also had 43 tackles and four interceptions on defense and handled kicking and punting duties as well • Earned all-league honors at both quarterback and punter • Led Norton to a spot in the Kansas state 3A playoffs • Coached by Lucas Melvin at Norton Community • Son of John and Jennifer Ruder.
Jahlil Taylor
Defensive Tackle
6-1, 290
Pinehurst, Ga. • Crisp County
Rated the No. 107 player in Georgia and the No. 85 defensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 139 defensive tackle nationally by the 247Sports composite • Led Crisp County to a region title and a spot in the second round of the Georgia AAA playoffs as a senior • Recorded more than 170 total tackles at Crisp County, including 82 tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a junior • Coached by Brad Harber at Crisp County • Son of Shea Daniels.
Javon Terry
Defensive Back
6-0, 180
Wake Forest, N.C. • Wake Forest
Rated the No. 26 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 48 safety in the country by Rivals • Ranked No. 41 in North Carolina and No. 73 nationally at safety by ESPN.com • Considered the No. 40 player in North Carolina and the No. 100 safety by the 247Sports composite • Teammate of fellow signee Devon Lawrence at Wake Forest, where they led the Cougars to back-to-back NCHSAA 4AA state titles, the first for a Wake County team in 29 years • Named most outstanding defensive player of the title game MVP honors after intercepting a pass late to secure the win • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Had 161 career tackles and 11 career interceptions • Finished his senior season with five interceptions and 19 passes defended • Also played with current Tar Heel Xach Gill • Coached by Reggie Lucas at Wake Forest • Son of Tara Terry.
Lancine Turay
Defensive End
6-5, 230
Newark, N.J. • Irvington
Rated the No. 24 player in the state of New Jersey and the No. 90 defensive end by ESPN.com • Ranked No. 32 in New Jersey and No. 58 nationally at strongside defensive end by the 247Sports composite • Also ranked No. 32 in the state by Rivals • Ranked No. 23 in the NJ.com Top 50 • Led Irvington High School to an unbeaten league record and a spot in the semifinals of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoffs • Had 46 total tackles and nine sacks as a senior • Also played offensive tackle • Coached by Smoke Pierre at Irvington • Son of Vakaba and Fatoumata Turay.
Kyle Wright
Linebacker
6-1, 220
Blythewood, S.C. • Ben Lippen
Ranked No. 9 overall in the state of South Carolina and the No. 28 inside linebacker nationally according to 247Sports • Considered the No. 23 player in South Carolina and the No. 73 linebacker by ESPN.com • Led Ben Lippen to the second round of the SCISA AAA playoffs as a senior after winning the state title as a junior • Playing both linebacker and running back as a senior, rushed for 1,854 yards and 22 touchdowns and had nine tackles for loss • Registered 128 tackles as a junior, including 80 solo stops • Played in the SCISA All-Star game and was a finalist for the Richland One/Two Player of the Year award • Coached by Derek White at Ben Lippen • Son of Victor Wright and Wendy Keene.
Javonte Williams
Running Back
5-11, 202
Wallace, N.C. • Wallace-Rose Hill
Rated the No. 93 player in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports • Led Wallace-Rose Hill to its fourth straight state title as a senior, scoring a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, which was held at Kenan Stadium • Earned MVP honors after finishing the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns • Finished his senior year with 2,271 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns • Also caught 13 passes for 363 yards and five scores • Earned an invite to the 2017 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas • Named to the NCPreps.com all-state team • Coached by Kevin Motsinger at Wallace-Rose Hill • Son of Jermaine and Shekemia Williams.
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