North Carolina Flips Four-Star Offensive Lineman Will Conroy From Oklahoma in Major Recruiting Victory for Mack Brown’s Tar Heels

In a move that sent waves through the college football recruiting landscape, the North Carolina Tar Heels have successfully flipped four-star offensive lineman Will Conroy from his prior commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners. The announcement marks a significant win for head coach Mack Brown and his staff as they continue to bolster the trenches with elite talent in the 2025 recruiting class.

Conroy, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle out of Waxahachie High School in Texas, had been verbally committed to Oklahoma since February. His pledge to the Sooners was a major part of Oklahoma’s push to solidify its future offensive front, particularly as the program prepares to navigate the highly competitive waters of the SEC. However, the recruitment of Conroy remained intense behind the scenes, with multiple programs continuing to pursue him aggressively. Among those suitors, North Carolina made the most compelling case down the stretch.

Sources close to the situation indicate that the Tar Heels’ staff, led by offensive line coach Randy Clements, never backed off in their pursuit of Conroy. The coaching staff maintained strong lines of communication with both the player and his family, consistently reinforcing their vision of his development and importance to the team’s long-term success. Ultimately, it was the relationships — combined with the opportunity for early playing time and a sense of academic and cultural fit — that won the day for North Carolina.

Conroy’s flip is not just a symbolic victory; it’s a tangible upgrade for a UNC offensive line unit that is being reshaped under Brown’s guidance. The Tar Heels have been targeting more physically imposing and technically sound linemen to improve their offensive consistency and protect their quarterbacks against elite ACC pass rushes. Conroy fits that mold perfectly. A dominant force in the run game with agile feet for pass protection, he brings the kind of versatility and polish that could make him a multi-year starter in Chapel Hill.

Ranked as a top-200 national prospect and one of the best linemen in Texas, Conroy drew offers from a laundry list of Power Four programs, including Alabama, LSU, Texas, Michigan, and Florida State. His commitment to Oklahoma was seen as a major recruiting coup for Brent Venables’ staff earlier this year. That makes the flip all the more impactful — not just for what it adds to UNC’s class, but for what it takes away from another national power.

From a strategic standpoint, North Carolina’s win here speaks to a larger pattern. Under Brown, the Tar Heels have consistently punched above their weight in recruiting. While they aren’t yet recruiting at a Georgia or Ohio State level, they have closed the gap significantly on conference rivals like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami. Conroy’s flip is another data point supporting that trend. In 2025, the Heels appear to be prioritizing physicality and leadership on both lines of scrimmage — the types of traits that separate good teams from championship contenders.

Conroy’s skill set is already turning heads among scouts and evaluators. He’s lauded for his long arms, powerful hands, and calm demeanor in high-pressure situations. At camps and on film, he’s shown the ability to slide in pass protection, anchor against bull rushes, and get to the second level as a run blocker — traits that make him a fit at both tackle and guard depending on how he develops. The Tar Heels have reportedly promised him a shot at left tackle, where he could eventually protect the blind side of their quarterback of the future.

One of the more compelling aspects of this flip is what it says about North Carolina’s growing ability to recruit nationally — especially in a hotly contested state like Texas. While it’s not new for UNC to land a Texas prospect, flipping a blue-chip offensive lineman from a major in-state program like Oklahoma is a different level of success. This speaks volumes about how effective the Tar Heels’ staff has been in building relationships and selling their long-term vision.

It also offers a cautionary tale for Oklahoma and other top programs: no commitment is safe until pen meets paper. The Sooners, who have experienced several recent recruiting wins in the trenches, now must scramble to fill a void that Conroy was expected to occupy in their 2025 plans. It’s unclear whether Oklahoma will re-engage with other linemen they had previously passed over, or ramp up their pursuit of a few uncommitted prospects to close the gap.

For Conroy, the decision to flip wasn’t easy, but he described it as a “family-first decision” in a statement released after the announcement. He emphasized the strong bond with Coach Clements and the belief that UNC’s development plan would put him in the best position to thrive, both on the field and beyond. He also cited the importance of academics, noting that Chapel Hill’s combination of football tradition and educational excellence checked every box for him and his parents.

This flip also gives North Carolina momentum as the summer recruiting period heats up. With official visits ramping up and early National Signing Day only six months away, this could set the tone for a surge in commitments. In recent years, a high-profile flip like this has often served as a domino for more recruiting wins. If Conroy’s announcement encourages other top-tier recruits to give UNC a closer look, Mack Brown’s 2025 class could push toward top-10 territory — a feat that seemed unthinkable a decade ago.

Recruiting analysts have already taken note of the impact. One prominent national analyst described the flip as “one of the most significant moves of the 2025 cycle so far,” pointing out that Conroy’s size, mobility, and technical ability make him one of the most college-ready linemen in the country. Another insider emphasized that Conroy is the type of player who can “set the tone” for a program — a future captain-type who elevates everyone around him.

North Carolina fans, meanwhile, are rightly excited. In a season where the Tar Heels are hoping to break through and contend for the ACC title, stacking elite talent like Conroy is how the foundation is laid. Though he won’t take a snap in Chapel Hill until next fall, the ripple effects of his decision are already being felt. Whether it’s other recruits, current players, or rival programs paying closer attention, this move represents more than just a win on paper — it’s a culture-defining moment.

In today’s college football world — where NIL, transfer portals, and coaching changes create an ever-shifting recruiting environment — landing and keeping top talent is more complex than ever. That’s why moments like this are celebrated not just as transactions, but as signs of a program moving in the right direction. For Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels, flipping Will Conroy is a signature moment in what’s shaping up to be a potentially transformational recruiting class.

As Conroy prepares for his senior year of high school, all eyes will be on how he continues to develop and lead. He’s expected to compete at multiple national showcase events and will have the spotlight on him throughout the fall. But for now, the Tar Heels can celebrate — not just for landing a top-tier lineman, but for sending a clear message to the rest of the college football world: North Carolina is not just competing in the recruiting game — they’re winning.