Jarin Stevenson Spurns Heels, Chooses Alabama

The Jarin Stevenson recruitment finally comes to an end.

After revealing a top three of Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia just six days ago, Jarin Stevenson made his decision to commit to Alabama and reclassify to 2023. Long seen as a North Carolina lock due to his ties to the school, Stevenson turned down his childhood team. His mother, Nicole, played for the Tar Heels from 1995 to 1998. This is a gut-punch for North Carolina, as they have recruited Stevenson for a while and put a lot of time and energy into getting him to Chapel Hill.

The Good

The good news for North Carolina is that they can move on. Now focused on the 2024 class, Hubert Davis will be able to pivot his efforts to other prospects and expand the board. There is still plenty of time to find someone who can come in and make an impact for the Tar Heels.

The Bad

It is always disappointing to lose a legacy recruit, especially an in-state prospect that you have recruited for almost two years. Alabama only offered Stevenson a month ago. Their late push must have been very impressive and exactly what Stevenson wanted.

What Happened?

The picture is not totally clear. After landing Grant Nelson, Alabama was unable to land a commitment from their top target, Arthur Kaluma. This caused the Tide to shift their focus to Stevenson. They ramped up their efforts and gave him the option to join the team next season. Stevenson had talked about that option for months, with many not believing he was ready. Stevenson has a slender frame and played 2A competition. That could cause a tough transition to the college game.

This should not at all be viewed as Hubert Davis not doing something right. When you have recruited someone for almost two years who is a legacy recruit and they still choose to go elsewhere, there isn’t much you can do. The ability to reclassify and get playing time immediately was likely the deciding factor.