UNC football adds Ohio State defensive back via transfer portal to bolster secondary
North Carolina football signed Ohio State transfer Lejond Cavazos on Monday to help bolster its secondary. The Tar Heels had at least three defensive backs have to sit out the spring game.
Cavazos, a 6-foot, 192-pound San Antonio native, will have three years of eligibility remaining after earning a redshirt in 2020. He played in 11 games last season and totaled 11 tackles with two pass breakups.
“I want to say how excited I am to be a Tar Heel,” Cavazos said in a statement. “Everything about being at North Carolina fit what I was looking for. It’s a prestigious University, offering a great education, and the football program is on the rise.”
UNC basketball’s Armando Bacot offered his assistance in recruiting Cavazos. The two both attended IMG Academy in Florida at the same time and were friends. On Cavazos’ visit, Bacot popped up to take a picture along with UNC coach Mack Brown and starting corner Tony Grimes that was posted on social media.
“I’ve been able to build a strong bond with the coaching staff and you can see why people want to play for them,” Cavazos said. “They’re excellent coaches, but even more important, they’re great men. I’ve also gotten to know some of the guys on the team, and I think I’ll be a good fit. I can’t wait to start this next chapter, get to Chapel Hill, and get to work with my new teammates.”
Brown has previously stated his philosophy is to only bring in transfers who could be starters. Last year, Tennessee transfer running back Ty Chandler was signed to bolster an inexperienced group.
In the offseason, UNC signed Miami transfer Corey Gaynor to solidify the offensive line and outside linebacker Noah Taylor, a transfer from Virginia.
Carolina’s secondary was decimated by injuries last season and that carried over into the spring as safeties Ja’Qurious Conley and Gio Biggers, and cornerback Dae Dae Hollins all sat out the spring game.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 5:40 AM.