UNC Adds 2025 No. 1 Overall Baseman from Transfer Portal: Nation’s Top-Rated Recruit Chooses Chapel Hill Over Recruiting Juggernauts
In a stunning move that has immediately shaken the landscape of college baseball, the University of North Carolina has landed the No. 1 overall baseman in the 2025 class through the transfer portal. The nation’s top-rated recruit has officially committed to Chapel Hill, spurning offers from powerhouse programs like LSU, Florida, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M. This commitment marks a game-changing moment for UNC baseball and signals that the Tar Heels are ready to contend for national dominance once again.
The player at the center of this recruiting frenzy? Jackson Holt, a generational talent known for his elite glove, powerful bat, and unmatched baseball IQ. Originally committed to a national powerhouse in the SEC, Holt entered the portal earlier this year after a coaching change disrupted his trajectory. What followed was a coast-to-coast recruitment battle among college baseball’s elite programs.
But in the end, Holt chose UNC.
“Chapel Hill just felt different,” Holt said during his announcement. “It wasn’t just about baseball — it was about the culture, the academics, the people, and the vision Coach Forbes laid out. I wanted to be somewhere that felt like home, but also pushed me to be great. UNC is that place.”
Standing at 6’3” and 215 pounds, Holt is a switch-hitting infielder with professional-grade tools. Scouts and analysts have raved about his combination of power and finesse, noting his ability to anchor the infield defensively while being a dangerous presence in the middle of the lineup. He led his former team in nearly every major offensive category in 2024 and was named a First-Team All-American as a sophomore.
Now, he brings that elite production to Boshamer Stadium, where UNC fans are already buzzing about the impact he’ll have in 2025.
“This is a massive addition for us,” said head coach Scott Forbes. “Jackson is not just an incredible athlete—he’s a leader, a winner, and a competitor who elevates everyone around him. Getting him to Chapel Hill speaks volumes about where our program is headed.”
The impact of Holt’s commitment goes beyond the stat sheet. It’s a recruiting statement — a declaration that North Carolina is not just a basketball school, but a baseball destination capable of landing the very best. His arrival gives UNC an immediate title contender edge and strengthens a roster already filled with promising young talent and veteran experience.
Fans and alumni are already dreaming big, with hashtags like #HoltToChapelHill and #BoshBombs2025 trending within hours of the announcement. One fan tweeted, “We just stole the No. 1 recruit from the SEC. This ain’t your grandfather’s UNC baseball anymore.”
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Chapel Hill—and Jackson Holt will be right at the center of it, ready to make history.
