HBG is MIA, but I talk post-Duke, looking ahead to Miami, and chance encounters.

So today was National Signing Day for college football recruits. The Heels did well. I've seen our class ranked as high as #24 in the nation and #4 in the ACC.

It's definitely the best class of North Carolina schools, so that looks good to the in-state players and coaches. Building your core from in-state players is key, especially for a state-supported university.

Check out video and stats of our signees at TarHeelBlue.

The two big names you'll hear most immediately are Jarrell Miller, from Virginia,  and Aleric Mullins, who played his senior season at East Wake. Miller committed in January at the Army All-American Bowl, but was courted by schools like Virginia and Virginia Tech up until today. Mullins chose Carolina over Auburn and Tennessee.

I heard Roy Williams and Tyler Hansbrough were called in to help recruit Mullins during his official visit last weekend, so that really shows you how closely the two programs run together. Hansbrough played high school basketball against Mullins.

I am very excited about the class recruited by John Bunting and company, and hope you'll welcome them to Kenan Stadium with open arms.

One more thought: Tommy Thigpen has been named several times as the big reason these defensive recruits are swayed to Carolina. What a great addition to the staff he has been. Already paying dividends on the recruiting trail.