ESPN - UNC no deal with NCAA investigation with recruits

Feb 7, 2016, 5:40 PM

Jared ShankerESPN Staff Writer

Larry Fedora experienced a couple of “firsts” at North Carolina on signing day.

To start, the Tar Heels left the fax machine languish in the storage closet. There was no use for the antiquated device that’s become obsolete just about everywhere but the college football domain. All of the school's letters of intent were received via text message.

Fedora also didn’t have to answer questions from prospects about NCAA investigations or combat negative recruiting.

“We didn’t have to deal with it this year,” Fedora said. “That was something people couldn’t use against us. It was never an issue for these kids. That’ll get easier and easier as we go.”

The NCAA case involving UNC athletics still has not been resolved and might not be for many more months, but Fedora said he didn’t encounter the same concern from recruits as he did in previous years. The football program was previously sanctioned for violations occurring before Fedora’s tenure, but the team was able to sign a full class Wednesday.

Recruiting classes are always better evaluated three or four years in the future, but the Tar Heels finished No. 34 on signing day. The 2016 group lacks the handful of ESPN 300 commitments of the previous years -- one signed in 2016, compared to 12 in the last three classes combined -- but it nearly led to another first for North Carolina.

Since the advent of ESPN’s rankings in 2006, North Carolina has never signed an ESPN 150 or 300 recruit from Florida. It entered last weekend in the final group of No. 2 receiver Nate Craig-Myers and No. 7 running back Amir Rasul, both Florida natives and among the top 100 players in the ESPN 300.

Rasul opted to stay with Florida State and Craig-Myers recommitted to Auburn, and while there are no consolation prizes in recruiting, it indicates to Fedora that the Heels are seen as a contender. Of their five 2017 pledges, three are ESPN Junior 300 prospects.

Among ACC teams, only Clemson, Florida State and Miami signed more blue-chip players the last four cycles than North Carolina, so the Tar Heels have the roster to win a conference championship.

“That always helps you,” Fedora said, “when everyone realizes you’re a legitimate contender.”

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ESPN - UNC no deal with NCAA investigation with recruits

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/90817/with-11-wins-and***

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