UNC recruiting: Tar Heels offer 2018 wide receiver Kevin Austin and safety Randy Russell

In recent days, the Tar Heels have put a lot of focus into the 2018 recruiting class, extending offers to two prospects over the past week.

They first offered four-star wide receiver Kevin Austin, with an announcement coming on the 25th. The six-foot-three, 185-pound prospect is ranked 262nd in the national composite, coming in as the No. 44 wide receiver, and the No. 41 talent out of the state of Florida. He is noted for his ability to catch the ball in traffic and out run the secondary, making him a standout on a Coconut Creek North Broward Prep team filled with talent.

Austin currently has offers from such distinguished programs as Duke, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, NC State, Tennessee, Florida State, and East Carolina. Florida State has also shown interest, but they have yet to offer.

After Austin, it was announced that UNC also offered three-star safety Randy Russell. The five-foot-eleven, 180-pound prospect ranks 356th in the national composite, and is considered the No. 29 safety in his class and No. 62 talent out of Florida.

Before receiving his offer, Russell had never spoken to anyone from UNC, stating that it was all a complete surprise and “the offer was overwhelming.” Despite the lack of a relationship between the two sides, he states that “the UNC offer will sit well with some of the top schools that has offered me.”

Though the school wants him as a safety, Russel has played all over the field in his high school career, getting time at linebacker and nickel back. He’s a very physical player and is considered to be one of the hardest hitters in the state.

Growing up, he was a fan of the Florida State Seminoles, and has referred to them as his “dream offer.” Right now he has over 20 offers, but nothing from FSU yet. North Carolina will compete with the likes of Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Temple, and West Virginia.

Of course, the next step would be for him to come to Chapel Hill for a visit, but that might take some time. With only three home games through in the first two months of the season, he may have to wait until November before he makes it onto campus. In the meantime Russell plans to attend UNC’s game against Miami on October 15.