North Carolina does have two new recruits after sitting on the sidelines for weeks, but we’re not talking five-star phenoms here. The Tar Heels have added tight end Sean Fitzpatrick of Pittsford (N.Y.)-Mendon High and offensive lineman Nick Appel of Bishop O’Connell High in Arlington, Va.
Neither was highly recruited; this class could use some big names to give it some sizzle, and many of the hotshots the Tar Heels were working on have committed elsewhere.
Fitzpatrick had already committed to Maryland, in fact, but when North Carolina hired Allen Mogridge —who had recruited Fitzpatrick in the past — to coach tight ends, the player reconsidered.
Fitzpatrick, who has 4.6-second speed in the 40-yard dash, is 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, and considered a good blocker. As a junior, he caught 18 passes for 275 yards.
Appel is 6-6 and 300 pounds, and recruited to play OT, although he played some DE in high school. O’Connell coach Steve Trimble said, “There were some other teams right there, at the point of giving him an offer. Northwestern and Maryland were excited about him. I told him that he could go to only so many (summer) camps.
“I told Nick to pick out the schools he was most interested in and try and get
in their camps so they could get a look at him. The big thing was he was at
UNC's camp and they got a chance to see him.”
North Carolina was Appel’s first offer. He had been in the program for three years, since being cut from the freshman basketball team had dimmed his interest in that sport. He has 5.4 speed.
The additions push the Tar Heels’ class to nine players, counting those who were not admitted last year and were bumped from the Class of 2009 to ’10. UNC has 19 spots to fill.
Stan Olson, The Charlotte Observer
Comments
fitzpatrick
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 15:47 — izzykareemi live about 10minutes from fitzpatrick's school. This entire area ive never heard of producting D1 football talent but that kid sounds big and fast. But he should fit in at UNCCH its a pretty snooty area and high school.
sorry
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 08:49 — gvillegatryou have to live in NY.
izzy
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 21:59 — Heels20Just because we don't acknowledge you as a primary rival, it doesn't mean we're snooty. Win more than 1/3 of the games head-to-head and you'll get some respect.
Tate
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 15:17 — Steven252525As a State fan I am glad that Tate is not going to be at UNC. That guy appeared to be a bigger Russell Wilson.
I agree, Tate was the real deal...
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 19:53 — UNC1998That said, Davis and the coaches haven't dissappointed yet. When signing day comes I bet there will be some surprises and and a fine UNC recruiting class. Some coaches like to go out and get what they can early. Others like to play for the big chips and work it down to the wire. UNC's relatively small class so far does not worry me.