UNC Battles for Top 2025 Recruits as Jaxon Richardson Narrows List to Four Schools

When Jaxon Richardson, a five-star wing from the class of 2025, cut his college list to just four schools on July 24, 2025, the North Carolina Tar Heels held their breath. The news, first reported by Tar Heel Times, didn’t name the final four — but the implications were loud and clear: this is the kind of recruit that can flip a program’s trajectory. And with Hubert Davis’s team rebuilding from a quiet 2026 class, landing Richardson isn’t just a win — it’s a necessity.

The Recruiting Chess Game

Richardson’s decision came amid a flurry of activity in Chapel Hill. Just hours earlier, Deron Rippey Jr., the five-star point guard from Blair Academy in New Jersey, kept UNC on his official list of 12 schools — a sign the Tar Heels are still very much in the mix for elite talent. But Rippey’s list is wide. Richardson’s is razor-thin. That’s the difference between hope and momentum.

Then there’s Dylan Mingo. Ranked the No. 5 overall recruit nationally by Sports Illustrated, Mingo had canceled visits to both NC State and UNC earlier this summer. But something changed. He rescheduled his trip to Chapel Hill. And according to Rivals analyst Joe Tipton, the Tar Heels are now one of the top three contenders — alongside Penn State and Baylor — to land the 6’5", 190-pound playmaker. "They’ve come on strong recently," Tipton said. "Now they look to have improved their standing."

Why This Matters More Than Ever

It’s not just about adding talent. It’s about survival. The North Carolina Tar Heels are navigating a recruiting landscape that no longer rewards patience. In the portal era, rosters turn over like a fast-food menu. Players come, go, and rarely stick around for four years. That’s why landing Richardson, Rippey, or Mingo isn’t just about next season — it’s about anchoring a rebuild before the next wave of transfers washes away your depth.

Consider this: UNC’s 2025-26 roster will include nine newcomers. The projected starting backcourt? KYAN EVANS and Seth Trimble. Both are talented. But neither is a top-five recruit. That’s why the program is chasing five-stars like mad. The last thing they need is another year of filling gaps with three-star guys who get lost in the shuffle.

The Ripple Effect of Caleb Wilson

Meanwhile, last year’s five-star freshman, Caleb Wilson, is already proving why UNC needs more of him. Through four games, Wilson is averaging 20.6 points and 10 rebounds — a rare blend of scoring and rebounding for a freshman. In a win over Navy, he dropped 23 points and 11 boards. But here’s the twist: he wasn’t satisfied. "We let them run that 15-0 run," Wilson told Keeping It Heel. "That’s not who we are."

That’s the culture Davis is trying to build — not just talent, but hunger. And it’s working. Wilson’s performance is a recruiting tool. Prospects see him dominating, hear him holding teammates accountable, and think: "I want to be part of this."

The Hidden Challenge: Recruiting in the Portal Era

There’s a quiet crisis in Chapel Hill — and it’s not just the lack of top-10 recruits. It’s the erosion of long-term development. As a YouTube analysis of Derek Dixon — a consensus top-55 recruit who committed to UNC — pointed out, the old model of recruiting "developmental five-stars" who stayed four years is nearly dead. "Back then, you got a kid ranked 50th, and you coached him into a lottery pick," the analyst said. "Now? He’s out after one year if he gets a better offer."

That’s why landing Richardson matters so much. He’s not just a player. He’s a statement. A signal to other elite recruits that UNC is back in the big-time game. And with the transfer portal now the primary engine of roster changes, holding onto your top commitments is more critical than ever.

What’s Next for the Tar Heels?

Richardson’s final four are still unknown, but rumors swirl. Duke? Kansas? Kentucky? All are plausible. But UNC’s recent momentum — Mingo’s rescheduled visit, Rippey’s continued interest, Wilson’s breakout — gives them a fighting chance. The next 45 days are critical. If Richardson picks UNC, it could trigger a domino effect. Other five-stars might start believing again.

And if they don’t? The Tar Heels will need to pivot fast. The 2026 class is already looking thin. Without a top-10 recruit, the program risks falling further behind in the ACC’s talent arms race. The pressure isn’t just on Davis. It’s on every assistant, every alum, every former player who calls a recruit and says, "Come home."