About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time is running out for the North Carolina Tar Heels in their 2026 football season, needing two more wins in four games to reach bowl eligibility.
UNC can play tough competition close, but doesn't have the recipe to win those games. North Carolina lost a close, 38-35 battle against top-ranked Miami (FL) on Halloween, trading punches throughout and having several chances on failed, onside kicks.
Despite the Tar Heels sitting at just 4-4 entering this weekend's game at UConn, they still land talented recruits for the future. Late Monday, UNC added to its 2028 recruiting class with a commitment from 4-star tight end Greg Kirwan , who visited Chapel Hill on Halloween.
Kirwan, who plays his high school football at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville (Tenn.), is North Carolina's second 4-star commitment of the 2028 recruiting cycle. The Tar Heels previously landed 4-star quarterback Levi Kerr , an in-state product who plays at Marvin Ridge in Waxhaw.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings , Kirwan is the 2028 recruiting class' 21st-ranked tight end and Tennessee's 19th-ranked prospect. An imposing 6'5", 240-pound figure, Kirwan should lead UNC's tight end room as a freshman.
North Carolina lacked production in its tight end room last season, but Jelani Thurman and Shamar Easter headline a 2026 re-birth. Thurman turned from a rarely-used pass-catcher at Ohio State , to being Billy Edwards' security blanket and big-play guy in Chapel Hill.
Kirwan has two more high school campaigns to play, but the hope is he'll remain committed to Bill Belichick's program. The Tar Heels have two 4-stars, but can they add another?
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Leroy Jackson (91) pressures in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kenton Dopson III (21) reacts in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) with the ball as Miami (FL) Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) with the ball in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans cheer in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels mascots fight in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive lineman Armondo Blount (18) pressures in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Demon June (0) reacts in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) scores a touchdopwn as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Leroy Jackson (91) pressures in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kenton Dopson III (21) reacts in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) with the ball as Miami (FL) Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 17 Billy Edwards earns weekly honor after career performance vs. Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 7 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) with the ball in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans cheer in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels mascots fight in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive lineman Armondo Blount (18) pressures in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Demon June (0) reacts in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 17 Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) scores a touchdopwn as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images (Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions .
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC lands second 4-star commitment in 2028 football recruiting class
Source: Sports
