North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC recruiting roundup: Updates on basketball, football programs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Keeping It Heel gets you up to date on everything you need to know about the week in recruiting

Sep 12, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora signals a play during the second quarter against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

With football season back in full swing and basketball season just around the corner, recruiting is heating up in a big way.

Both on the gridiron and the hardwood, we’re seeing movement from prospects taking official visits and working toward their final decisions.

This weekend, the University of North Carolina campus will be the stomping ground of several big-time recruits who are trying to decide if Chapel Hill will be their new home.

As news breaks and information unfolds, Keeping It Heel will be your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about recruiting.

P.J. Washington set to visit UNC this weekend

Five-star power forward P.J. Washington will visit the University of North Carolina this weekend as the second of his four official visits.

Washington was at the University of Kentucky last weekend and plans to visit Arizona and Texas in late October to finish up his official visits before making a final decision.

Washington is currently 15th in the 247Sports 2017 Composite ranking. He’s considered the sixth best power forward in his class.

At 6-foot-7 and 225-pounds, Washington is a bit undersized for the power forward position, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in strength and athleticism. He’s also got a massive 7’1” wingspan that helps him defend against taller opponents.

Washington would be a huge commitment for the Tar Heels, who are looking to sign at least two big men in the 2017 class.

The nation’s number-one center will be in town for the UNC football game

Cesar Ruiz, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound prospect in the class of 2017 will be in Chapel Hill this weekend when the Tar Heels face off against Pittsburgh in an ACC Coastal Division battle.

Ruiz, the top-tanked center in the 2017 class, would be a big commitment for head coach Larry Fedora and the Tar Heels. They’ve already gotten commitments from four offensive linemen in the class including Brian Anderson, Marcus McKethan, Jonah Melton and Billy Ross.

Ruiz is visiting UNC this weekend as one of his official visits. He’ll arrive on Friday to make his way around campus before attending the football game on Saturday afternoon.

Ruiz is ranked as the 66th best player in the class of 2017 according to the 247Sports Composite ranking.

He currently holds offers from Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas A&M among others. Popular belief is that he’ll choose to attend the University of Michigan.

Roy Williams visits five-star prospect from class of 2019

Roy Williams was in town Tuesday to visit elite 2019 prospect Matthew Hurt.

Hurt, a 6-foot-9, 195-pound small forward is the fourth best player in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite ranking. He’s considered the second best small forward in the class.

Hurt played up two age groups on the 17-and-under circuit over the summer and performed admirably. He’s got a nice jump shot and runs the floor well. He’s a good rebounder and capable defender, too.

Hurt is a relative newcomer on the recruiting scene, as many are still unfamiliar with the high school sophomore.

Despite his age, he already holds offers from Arizona, Kansas, Louisville, Minnesota and North Carolina. The 247Sports Crystal Ball currently shows Kansas as the likely destination for the talented big man.

Steve Robinson visits 2017 big man

Months after suffering a severely broken leg, Pickerington Central big man Sterling Manley is back on the court and getting plenty of attention.

Tar Heel Illustrated reported that UNC assistant coach Steve Robinson watched Manley play on Tuesday, continuing the team’s search for big men in the class of 2017.

Sterling is a 6-foot-9, 235-pound center who currently holds offers from Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Xavier among others.

Sterling is a three-star player according to Scout, and has already made visits to West Virginia and Xavier. Current projections show Manley choosing West Virginia over Xavier.

The UNC coaching staff, in an effort to fill the upcoming void in the front court, is scouring the entire country for big men to replace seniors Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks.

2017 UNC commit taking official visit to UNC this weekend

2017 UNC commit Jonah Melton will also be on campus this weekend for the Tar Heels’ game against Pitt.

Melton committed to UNC nearly a year ago and has been a regular attendee of the team’s games and practices ever since.

At 6’4”, 295-pounds, Melton gives the Tar Heels another big, strong body to put on the offensive line for years to come.

Before committing to North Carolina, the highly coveted offensive guard had offers from Clemson, Duke, Miami and South Carolina among others.

Football recruits on campus for Tar Heels win over JMU

The first home game of the season for the Tar Heels football program was a big success. The team earned its first win of the season beating James Madison University 56-28.

While the stands were packed, the Tar Heels had a few special guests in attendance for the game on Saturday.

UNC hosted some of their football recruits who spent time on campus as well as at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Here’s who was in attendance:

Look for them to be on campus again in the future and the class of 2017 coming in for next season.

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