North Carolina football recruiting: Five-star OT Zach Rice, a top-10 recruit, picks Tar Heels on CBS Sports HQ

One of many high gamers within the 2022 recruiting cycle made his much-anticipated dedication Thursday, as five-star offensive sort out Zach Rice selected North Carolina over Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Virginia dwell on CBS Sports activities HQ. Rice made the announcement surrounded by teammates, household and mates in Lynchburg, Virginia, and the information was met with a big applause from the group. 

“The distinction was clearly I wish to play for a Corridor of Fame head coach. Mack Brown is wonderful,” Rice mentioned. “We’re on the come up proper now, I actually consider that, and the one factor I can do is get higher.” 

Rice added that he plans to reach on campus in January as an early enrollee, in time for spring apply forward of the 2022 season. 

Rice ranks because the No. 1 offensive sort out in 2022 class and the No. 7 total prospect in line with the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-6, 282-pound lineman has been in comparison with former Alabama and present Cleveland Browns sort out Jedrick Wills, with recruiting analysts declaring how Rice has “fared effectively” towards high prospects in camp settings — one thing that scouts needed to see given his competitors at the highschool stage taking part in at Liberty Christian Academy. 

247Sports’ nationwide recruiting analyst Brian Dohn notes that with Rice’s massive body and shoulder width, he has “excellent left sort out measurement with power.” 

Multi-sport athlete performed on state class 3A semifinal staff as junior. Agile and high-level athlete. Strikes effectively in area. Performs with angle and nastiness. Sturdy at level of assault and makes use of his decrease physique power effectively. Preliminary punch is forceful and performs with heavy arms. As soon as engaged stays locked on and drives legs. Finishes blocks effectively. Efficient down blocker from proper sort out place. Exhibits capability to tug and transfer effectively in area. Can scrape and get to second stage. Has physique management to pinpoint second-level defenders. Has agility to cowl the sting towards pace rusher. Is affected person in cross professional and doesn’t lung typically. Consistency with hand placement wanted. Has to proceed to work on bend to be extra in step with sinking hips and profitable leverage battle. Has to refine kick step. Multi-year starter at high 10 program. NFL first spherical potential.

It is a big addition to North Carolina’s 2022 class that already ranked within the high 15 nationally previous to his dedication. Steve Wiltfong mentioned on CBS Sports activities HQ that Rice strikes the Tar Heels as much as No. 9 within the 247Sports Composite, and it addresses one of many largest wants for the offense within the offensive line. After recruiting the quarterback and talent positions effectively the final couple of cycles, Rice turns into an prompt influence contributor to the offensive line.