The North Carolina Tar Heels continue adding players to their football program, whether via the transfer portal or recruiting classes.
UNC, which will return several 2024 starters and reserves this coming fall, is trying to perfect its debut roster under new head coach Bill Belichick. North Carolina already has a pair of quarterbacks in Bryce Baker and Ryan Browne, plus a 4-star cornerback in Thaddeus Dixon, but the roster additions don’t stop there.
The Tar Heels added yet another recruit to their 2025 roster on Monday, January 27 – one who projects to be an integral part of their defense.
UNC’s addition is none other than Class of 2025 linebacker Jake Bauer, who UNC flipped from Navy.
Bauer had plenty of interest during his initial recruitment. According to InsideCarolina, he had offers from Air Force, Akron, Army, Kent State, Temple, several FCS schools, plus a pair of ACC programs in Pitt and Boston College.
Bauer’s commitment adds him to a young, deep 2025 linebacking corps headlined by Amare Campbell, who starred as a sophomore last year and previously withdrew himself from the transfer portal.
I would like to thank everyone at Navy for putting the time and effort into recruiting me. At this time I would like to announce my commitment to the University of North Carolina.
🩵@CoachGueriera @Belichick_B @mlombardiuncgm pic.twitter.com/CliSmZWI2M
— Jake Bauer (@JakeBauer32) January 27, 2025
Bauer will be joined by three more linebacker additions next year: Lantz Pascal and Tyler Houser, a pair of 2025 recruits, plus Washington transfer Khmori House.
You might ask: with Belichick’s hiring, why isn’t North Carolina getting every 5-star player available?
You might also remember: Belichick has a proven history of turning players, particularly ones without tons of hype and starpower, into proven winners. Just look at what he did with Tom Brady.
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