The Tar Heels’ recruiting class is considerably smaller at this year’s early signing period than the past two years as UNC searches for its next head coach, navigates changing NIL scene.

National Signing Day is finally here. On Wednesday, top recruits around the country will put pen to paper and cement their commitments. For the North Carolina Tar Heels, they enter this period in the

East Forsyth High School (N.C.) quarterback Bryce Baker, who has been committed to North Carolina since June 2023, toured Happy Valley via his Penn State visit this weekend. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound four-star was on hand in Beaver Stadium to watch the No. 4-ranked Nittany Lions notch a 44-7 victory over Maryland and improve to 11-1 this season.

The Early Signing Period is officially here as football prospects are allowed to sign their letter of intent to a program. The period will last three days before taking a pause and uncommitted recruits will have the chance to make their decision and sign again in February.

It was a small haul for UNC football on early signing day. Here's a breakdown of the Tar Heels' latest recruits in the wake of Mack Brown's firing.

As a mere true freshman, NC State football quarterback CJ Bailey improved to 1-0 against the archrival UNC Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC) via the Wolfpack's 35-30 road victory on Saturday. ALSO READ: NC State Prize Takhyian Whitset Earns Four-Star Rating The feel-good win in Chapel Hill secured bowl eligibility for the Wolfpack (6-6,