Top In-State Recruit Desmond Evans Commits to North Carolina

Tar Heels building a star-studded defensive line

North Carolina added the crown jewel of its 2020 recruiting class on Friday afternoon as Desmond Evans announced his commitment to the Tar Heels.

Evans, a 6-6, 240-pound defensive end, is the top overall player in North Carolina and ranks second nationally among weak-side defensive ends, according to 247 Sports. At 22 nationally in the 247 Sports composite rankings, Evans is the most highly-rated prospect to choose Carolina since Marvin Austin committed to the Tar Heels in 2007.

Announcing his decision at a pep rally before Lee County High School’s homecoming game vs. Union Pines, Evans chose Carolina over finalists Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Carolina tight ends coach Tim Brewster served as the primary recruiter for Evans, who visited Chapel Hill for both the Appalachian State and Clemson games.

His decision adds to a stacked 2020 class on the defensive line where the Tar Heels have commitments from four-star recruits Myles Murphy and Kedrick Bingley-Jones. Additionally, Carolina has pledges from four-star safeties Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and Ja’Qurious Conley and linebacker Ethan West.

After falling behind N.C. State in recent seasons among in-state recruits, Carolina has commitments from eight of the state’s top 25 players in the Class of 2020, with the Wolfpack in second with six.

Evans’ commitment marks the first time since 2014 that North Carolina’s top-ranked recruit has decided to stay in-state since Elijah Hood chose the Tar Heels. Since then, two of the state’s top-ranked players have gone to Tennessee, while the others chose Clemson, Florida State and Georgia. 

Prior to the addition of Evans, Carolina's class was 19th in the 247 Sports rankings, just behind South Carolina and ahead of Mississippi State.

Among ACC programs, the Tar Heels were fourth, trailing Clemson, Florida State and Miami.