Sting Factor: Tyler Shough's flip from North Carolina to Oregon
North Carolina’s season is off to a tough start and the Tar Heels recruiting efforts took a big blow over the weekend when four-star quarterback Tyler Shough flipped from UNC to Oregon. North Carolina still has one four-star prospect committed at the position, but clearly is looking to restock. How bad is the loss of Shough? We take a look at just how much Shough’s flip stings the Tar Heels by surveying out local, regional and national experts.
MORE STING FACTOR: Kenyon Jackson decommits from LSU
LOCAL REACTION: ANDREW JONES, TARHEELILLUSTRATED.COM
“With UNC's season spiraling down the drain, courtesy of an unheard of number of injuries, the program didn't need a highly touted prospect to jump ship, but that's what happened with Shough. But it wasn't a surprise. He visited for the Duke game and told TarHeelIllustrated.com he watched starting QB Chazz Surratt closely and acknowledged while he was 100 percent committed to UNC, he was keeping his options open. Surratt is a redshirt freshman and the QB of the future. UNC's other committed QB in the class of 2018 is Jace Ruder, who jumped Shough in the most recent Rivals250 rankings. So while this is a loss the staff would rather not deal with, it wasn't a surprise and is something it can overcome.”
STING FACTOR: 5
REGIONAL REACTION: ADAM FRIEDMAN, RIVALS.COM
“If Shough played a different position, the sting factor would be lower but the Tar Heels have a quarterback problem and they were in great position to sign two Rivals250 players at the position and solidify their future. Now the Tar Heels still hold a commitment from Ruder, but having two very talented quarterbacks to lean on over the next few years would've helped North Carolina return to that explosive offense many of us are used to seeing.”
STING FACTOR: 8
NATIONAL REACTION: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM
“I'll give it a 6 because they have another talented quarterback already in this class. If that wasn't the case, it would be a 10 because it's so late and I like Shough's potential a lot.”
STING FACTOR: 6
AVE. STING SCORE: 6.3
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
Rivals250 quarterback Jace Ruder is clearly the guy now and, even though it's never great to lose a commitment, the Tar Heels are set up even better with their quarterback targets in the 2019 class. They've offered in-state 2019 Rivals250 quarterback Sam Howell and he is very high on the Tar Heels, and they also have offers out to three uncommitted junior quarterbacks. Don't rule out the Tar Heels going after another quarterback in 2018 class but, if they do get another one, he won't be Shough's caliber.