Few North Carolina 2027 football prospects have risen more quickly than Josiah Sturdivant. The Wake Forest High edge rusher has gone from largely overlooked by major recruiting services just a few months ago to finding his future college home in the Big Ten.
Sturdivant announced his commitment to Rutgers over the weekend, becoming the second North Carolina 2027 prospect to jump into the pipeline to Piscataway, N.J.
Sturdivant, a 6-4, 225-pound edge, also held offers from East Carolina, Old Dominion, James Madison, Kent State, North Carolina Central, Furman and Richmond. Rutgers extended its offer in May. He has canceled planned visits to ECU and ODU, per 247Sports.
Sturdivant was not included in 247Sports’ North Carolina 2027 player rankings this spring but recently debuted at No. 28 in the state. He is still not ranked by Rivals or ESPN but that could change as the summer progresses.
The rising senior put together an impressive 2025 campaign for Wake Forest High, recording 51 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. He also forced a fumble and saw limited offensive action, catching two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Sturdivant’s combination of length, production and a rapidly developing frame – he put on 30 pounds in the off-season per 247Sports – helped draw increased attention during the spring evaluation period.
Sturdivant’s commitment is also the latest sign that Rutgers is becoming an increasingly active player in North Carolina recruiting. Sturdivant is the second 2027 prospect from the Old North State to commit, joining Providence Day safety/linebacker Moses Poku-Kankam, who pledged to the Scarlet Knights in late April.
Rutgers has landed players from North Carolina each of the past four years. The Knights signed a pair with the 2026 class who were ranked in the top 40 in the state.
One of the common denominators is tight ends coach Scott Vallone, who has worked to cultivate recruiting ties in North Carolina the past few years for head coach Greg Schiano.
South Florida lands Crest High state champion Christian Stowe
Elsewhere on the recruiting trail, Crest High defensive end Christian Stowe of Shelby became the latest North Carolina prospect to come off the board, committing to South Florida after receiving FBS and FCS interest.
Stowe reported 17 offers during his recruitment, including East Carolina, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Western Kentucky, Campbell, Elon, Gardner-Webb and North Carolina Central among others. The Bulls secured his commitment before planned June visits to Charlotte and ECU.
Stowe helped Crest capture the NCHSAA 5A state championship last December and recorded three tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in the title game victory over Wilson Hunt.
🏠#gobulls pic.twitter.com/uMgV8oE9od — Christian stowe (@christianst31) May 31, 2026
Duke adds multiple prospects after key visit weekend
Getting prospects on campus during the first big official visit weekend of the summer proved pivotal to the Blue Devils recruiting efforts. As of Monday night, coach Manny Diaz and staff had added four new commitments to the ledger, giving Duke 11 total for the 2027 class.
The latest pledges – two tight ends, an offensive tackle and a safety – represent a true national approach to recruiting, with commits hailing from California, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. As of June 1, Duke’s recruiting class ranks No. 34 nationally by 247Sports and ninth in the ACC. Here is a quick look at each newcomer to the class:
Parker Newman, TE, Sevierville, TN (Sevier County HS)
The Blue Devils plucked the No. 17 player from Tennessee and the No. 15 tight end nationally, per 247Sports. Newman is a true pass-catching tight end, making 78 catches for 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. Newman had more than two dozen offers, including Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and more.
Tyler Graham, OT, Malvern, PA (Malvern Prep)
Duke coach Manny Diaz, a former assistant at Penn State, earned a pledge from a top-25 Pennsylvania prospect. Graham is considered a “higher end” three-star prospect by 247Sports. Graham had 20 offers but indicated his final decision came down to Duke and Wisconsin. Kentucky and Georgia Tech also were among his favorites, per 247Sports.
DJ Waluyn, SAF, Hoover, AL (Hoover HS)
A sprinter during track season, Waluyn will take his speed to the Duke defensive backfield. The No. 48 player in Alabama, per 247Sports, logged 64 tackles and 5.0 tackles-for-loss last season. He picked off two passes as a sophomore in 2024 with 47 tackles. Waluyn had more than 20 offers, with Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest among his other favorites.
Luke Karby, TE, Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo HS)
Duke recruited cross country and outworked Oregon State, Fresno State, Washington State and Air Force among other schools for Karby’s commitment. Karby represents another productive tight end, hauling in 42 passes for 612 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
UNC lands pledge from Arizona offensive lineman
Coach Bill Belichick landed an offensive lineman from Arizona when Lauifi Tosi committed to the Tar Heels over the weekend. Tosi is 6-4, 325 pounds and is UNC’s first player from the offensive front to commit for 2027. His other known offers included Eastern Michigan, Idaho and Sacramento State.
Tosi will be an intriguing commit to watch. He lacks Power 4 offers and star rankings from major recruiting services. But he has Power 4 size and could be a diamond-in-the-rough developmental asset for the Heels. Arizona has better high school football than what it often gets credit for.
North Carolina begins what should be a busy June with six 2027 commitments, including players from Texas and California. UNC’s class is ranked No. 61 nationally by 247Sports and 14th in the ACC.
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