The Tar Heels are still working to add some members to their extremely small 2025 recruiting class, despite most of the team’s targets having already signed. On Saturday afternoon, the team reeled in one of their two remaining targets at this time.
SteezoDsgn, a recruiting graphics and news source for college sports, revealed this afternoon that 2025 3✮ DL Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala has committed to Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels following a visit to Chapel Hill earlier this week. The native of Germany flipped his commitment from Wake Forest following the resignation of Dave Clawson earlier this week. Following the decommitment, the Tar Heels immediately turned up the heat and have now landed some much-needed depth in that defensive tackle room.
Nwabuisi-Ezeala, the No. 1507 overall prospect and No. 166 defensive line according to 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, recently concluded his senior season at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee High School in Rabun Gap, GA after five seasons with the team. He first saw action with the team back in the spring of 2021 as an 8th grader, playing in two games and tallying three total tackles. His role expanded every year since, with him becoming a major contributor as a sophomore where he finished with 31 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and seven quarterback hurries in nine games. In 2023, as a junior, he had 32 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 0.0 sacks and four quarterback hurries in eleven games. He finished his career with the most productive season of his career, racking up 41 total tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and seven quarterback hurries.
Nwabuisi-Ezeala is someone that the Tar Heels are hoping can be that big gap filler in the middle of their defense. At 6’2, 320 lbs., he certainly has the size to fill that role and his ability to shed blocks should allow him to make plays in the backfield. He does show his physicality at times, but he will have to utilize it more in college if he wants to consistently win. He is very limited as a pass rusher, especially for someone who moves well for his size, meaning that his role could be limited throughout his time in college. This is a guy that is a low risk, high reward addition that you’re hoping develops under Belichick’s staff, but it will probably take some time.
With his commitment, the Tar Heels are back up ten total commits in the 2025 class and make their first positive jump in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings in months. The class now sits at 83rd overall, but remains in the basement of the ACC rankings.