UNC is sitting in a strong spot with one of the biggest names in the 2027 class, and that’s a promising sign for Michael Malone’s early work in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels are currently viewed as the favorite for CJ Rosser, the top recruit in the 2027 cycle. It’s still early, and nothing is close to final, but the momentum appears to be headed UNC’s way.
Rosser was back in Chapel Hill on Wednesday for his second unofficial visit, according to 247Sports. During the trip, he wore Carolina gear and posed for photos in front of the wall of Jordans.
His recruitment with UNC dates back to 2025, when Hubert Davis offered him a scholarship on March 1 of that year. Rosser made his first unofficial visit in December, and even with the coaching change, his interest in the Tar Heels has not faded. In fact, it may have only grown after Malone was hired.
That matters because there were real questions about how Malone would handle the college game when he took over. So far, he’s making a strong first impression on the recruiting trail. Rosser’s continued interest suggests UNC is in a good place with him right now.
There are still plenty of schools in the mix. Rosser also holds offers from Kentucky, NC State, Duke, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, Kansas, and more. Kentucky is the other program drawing his attention, though it remains to be seen whether Mark Pope’s seat could affect where things go from here.
Rosser plans to narrow his list in August, which should give a better sense of where UNC stands compared with the rest of the field.
For now, the Tar Heels still don’t have a commitment in the 2027 class, but Malone has been targeting a large share of the top 10 prospects. Landing Rosser would be a major win on its own. If UNC can add another top-10 name alongside him, the class could end up being the program’s best in more than a decade.
The early signs in Chapel Hill are encouraging. The next step is finding out whether they turn into a commitment.
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