Diamond Heels land first class of 2028 commitment on Tuesday

Back in June, the UNC baseball squad came one win away from its first National Championship in program history, battling red-hot Oklahoma in a College World Series Finals, winner-take-all Game 3.

The Diamond Heels lost, 13-2, now making them 0-3 in trips to the CWS finals. It’s now on ahead to 2027, with North Carolina poised to compete for a top ACC spot again.

Scott Forbes does a great job recruiting as UNC’s head coach, already landing several projected starters in the portal. On Tuesday, Forbes just landed the Diamond Heels’ first class of 2028 commitment: Tyler Jackson.

If that last name sounds familiar, you guessed right. Tyler is the son of current North Carolina assistant coach Scott Jackson. Formerly the head coach of mid-major power Liberty University, Jackson became a UNC assistant and its recruiting coordinator in July 2024.

Tyler plays his high school baseball at Southeast Alamance High School, just 30 minutes up the road from Boshamer Stadium. Primarily a shortstop, according to PerfectGame via On3Sports, Jackson sports good bat speed and makes strong, accurate throws.

NEW: North Carolina has landed the first commitment of its 2028 recruiting class.

Shortstop Tyler Jackson has committed to UNC, he announced Tuesday.

Details: https://t.co/T9S53qJhCQpic.twitter.com/9sApD66ZJ8

— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) August 4, 2026

Tyler is also a productive quarterback for Southeast’s football team, throwing for 2,579 yards and 24 touchdowns last season en route to a second-round state playoff berth.

Forbes will likely utilize Tyler Jackson as a shortstop in Chapel Hill, but his strong arm will give him the ability to play anywhere. Maybe Jackson pitches or plays center field, but his impending arrival is three seasons away.

The Diamond Heels currently sport a 11-man 2026 recruiting class, with eight student-athletes already in the 2027 class. Now, Forbes has his first class of 2028 recruit.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Diamond Heels land first class of 2028 commitment on Tuesday