UNC firing Mack Brown could lead to Vols' Josh Heupel landing elite 4-star DL

This is not the news many people were expecting and it's a bit of a shocker. Earlier this week, it was reported and confirmed that North Carolina head coach Mack Brown wasn't going to retire and that he'd be back in 2025. Well, hold the phone on that.

In stunning fashion, it was just reported that Brown won't be back after all, as North Carolina has decided to fire the legendary head coach. Whoa. This is major college football news, but it also has an impact on things over in Knoxville as well.

With the Early Signing Period being a week away, one of the top targets left on the board for the Tennessee Volunteers and head man Josh Heupel is four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell. He's down to UNC and Tennessee. However, with the Tar Heels firing Brown, could this potentially swing things in Heupel's favor?

North Carolina firing Mack Brown could help Tennessee sign 4-star DL Isaiah Campbell

Campbell is ranked the No. 5 defensive lineman in the country per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 2 player from North Carolina for his class. He's truly an elite playmaker and the kind of prospect countless programs want to sign.

Campbell was previously committed to Clemson, but he backed off his pledge and decided to open things back up. He took a recent official visit to North Carolina and he was in Knoxville over the weekend to watch the Vols take down UTEP 56-0.

A decision is expected to come soon from the 6-4, 275-pounder. The lure of wanting to stay home and play for the Tar Heels is surely strong, but Tennessee is the No. 7 team in the country and the future is looking bright with Heupel in charge.

Now that North Carolina has decided to fire Brown, it could play a major role in Campbell's final decision. In the end, it could help the Vols land his signature once Dec. 4 gets here. This will be something to monitor over the next few days, no doubt.