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Weekend recruiting wrap ACC: Tar Heels rolling, Mark Richt hits the trail

Mark Richt is now the head coach at Miami, and has already hit the trail sprinting, making an appearance in Orlando, while North Carolina continues to makes the most of its 11-2 season.

Meanwhile, five-star Dexter Lawrence is less than a week away from a scheduled announcement with the ACC expected to win out.

Biggest commitments: Rontavius GrovesMyles Dorn to North Carolina. Friday, it was three-star in state safety prospect Dorn that gave his verbal, and on Saturday, three-star speedy slot receiver Groves did the same. Both were big positions of need for Larry Fedora and his staff.

North Carolina now has 20 commitments, and is working towards a top-20 recruiting class. Dorn was a rivalry win over NC State, while Groves selected North Carolina over West Virginia.

Most important visit: This is a first. It’s a head coach visit. South Florida high school coaches all mentioned how important it would be for Mark Richt to be very visible as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Well, Richt certainly answered the bell on Saturday. Richt, along with a pair of Hurricanes assistants, was on hand in Orlando Saturday for the FHSAA 4A state title game Saturday.

The game featured Miami linebacker commit Michael Pinckney. Richt also spent time at the game sitting with ESPN 300 linebacker verbal Shaquille Quarterman.

Dexter Lawrence commitment watch: Five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence will be making an official visit to NC State this weekend with a decision set for Dec. 14. The Wolfpack have ground to make up as Clemson has been trending since Lawrence’s early November official visit. While Lawrence’s recruitment has been difficult to get a read on, going from some thinking Florida to the in-state schools and Clemson, it will be surprise if the nation’s No. 8-ranked prospect doesn’t stay in the ACC. That means NC State has to overcome the tidal wave of momentum the Tigers have right now as they head into the college football playoffs ranked No. 1 in the country.

Big visit weekend ahead at Miami: Richt will host his first official visit weekend in Coral Gables, Dec. 11-3. There will be five visitors on officials, including two of the top defensive targets on the board in ESPN 300 defensive end Patrick Bethel and linebacker Zachary McCloud. Bethel, ranked No. 88 in the ESPN 300, is considered a lean to Miami with an official visit possible to LSU if he doesn’t commit to the Hurricanes. McCloud, ranked No. 197 and a former Hurricanes commit, is expected to give Richt his pledge.

Other official visitors on hand will be Quarterman, ESPN 300 quarterback verbal Jack Allison, and linebacker verbal Michael Pinckney.