North Carolina Tar Heels Flip Former 2017 Tennessee DT Commit Jordon Riley

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

North Carolina wrapped up a successful Junior Day weekend bringing in a talented group of recruits from the Class of 2017, 2018, and 2019 from all over the region. One of the early payoffs was a verbal commitment from 2017 in-state defensive tackle Jordon Riley on Thursday.

Riley is yet another big win for the Tar Heels after securing a Top 30 Class of 2016 recruiting class on Feb. 3. The Riverside High School star committed to Tennessee on June 14, 2015, but continued to take several unofficial visits to Chapel Hill setting up his eventual decision to stay in-state.

The Durham area talent became of interest on the recruiting trail during his sophomore season but picked up the heavy interest during his junior season when he had 28 tackles, 16 sacks, 22.5 tackles for a loss, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble through eight games played. Riley had not played football until the 2014 season.

The big 6’6”, 295 pound, tackle has picked up offers from Auburn, East Carolina, Wake Forest, Old Dominion, N.C. State, and Tennessee early in his recruiting process.

Some of the other UNC visitors for Junior Day included OG Marcus Minor, CB Ameer Speed, DE Luiji Vilain, OT Jonathon Maccollister, DE Jake Lawler, ATH Ryan Jones, DE Yetur Matos, WR J.T. Cauthen, and 2018 RB Zamir White.

North Carolina is off to a fast and talented start to their 2017 class with six overall commitments with Ryan Jones, Jake Lawler, and Tyler Smith already ranked as 4-star recruits.

North Carolina 2017 Verbal Commitment List (6)

DE Jake Lawler, 6-3, 225, South Mecklenburg, Charlotte, NC

DT Jordon Riley, 6-6, 295, Riverside HS, Durham, NC

OL Jonah Melton, 6-4, 290, Eastern Alamance, Mebane, NC

WR J.T. Cauthen, 6-3, 207, Cuthbertson HS, Waxhaw, NC

WR Ryan Jones, 6-2, 200, Mallard Creek HS, Charlotte, NC

WR Tyler Smith, 6-0, 180, McEachern, Powder Springs, GA

 

Photo credit: scout.com; Jordon Riley.