Gary Merrill, the five-star lacrosse standout from St. Anthony’s High School in New York, is set to join the University of North Carolina football program alongside his commitment to play lacrosse for the Tar Heels. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete, who has long been committed to UNC’s lacrosse team, has now officially signed on to also play football under head coach Bill Belichick.
Merrill, a dual-sport talent, is highly regarded for his abilities on the football field. As a senior, he was named the Gatorade New York Football Player of the Year after leading St. Anthony’s to a 9-4 record and a spot in the state championship game. He posted impressive stats, completing 68.9% of his passes for 1,762 yards and 19 touchdowns, while throwing only four interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 1,955 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The talented athlete has been known for his strong running ability, using the quarterback run game to his advantage, and has expressed his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win. Merrill’s decision to play both football and lacrosse at UNC adds to the excitement around his future at the school.
He becomes the 20th player to commit to the Tar Heels in the 2025 recruiting class, which currently ranks 60th in the nation according to 247Sports. Merrill joins two other quarterbacks in this class—three-star recruit Au’Tori Newkirk from Maury High School in Virginia and four-star Bryce Baker from East Forsyth High School in North Carolina. With these promising quarterbacks, the Tar Heels are looking to build a strong foundation for the future.
Merrill’s commitment to both sports highlights his rare talent and versatility, and fans are eager to see how he’ll contribute to UNC’s football and lacrosse programs moving forward.
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