Four-star wideouts Josh Downs and Ray Grier now have a four-star signal caller alongside them on North Carolina's 2020 commitment list. Top247 quarterback Malik Hornsby verbally committed to the Tar Heels on Wednesday.

Hornsby, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall High, selected UNC over the other members of his top eight (Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Houston, Oregon, SMU, and Texas A&M). He received scholarship offers from all eight, plus Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech, and Virginia Tech.

Ace recruiter Tim Brewster led UNC's pursuit of Hornsby. Brewster began recruiting Hornsby while on Texas A&M's staff.

A month ago, Hornsby officially visited UNC. That was the weekend of the Heels' spring game. The visit was his first and so far only official trip of his recruitment.

As a junior, Hornsby passed for 1,969 yards with a 23-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio. He also rushed for 772 yards and scored 13 more touchdowns. More importantly, he led Marshall High to the UIL 5A-Division II championship game, where it suffered its first loss of the season to powerhouse Aledo (Texas) High.

"[Hornsby is a] thinner signal caller who should add substantial weight and muscle to his frame once he gets in a college strength and conditioning program," 247Sports' Charles Powers said. "A track athlete with verified top-end speed, he has yet to transfer that athleticism into a combine setting, but has opportunities to show that during the 2019 offseason. Missed a handful of games to begin his junior season due to a transfer appeal, but hit the ground running. Ultimately led his team to a state title appearance. Presents a dynamic run threat as the triggerman to an explosive spread offense. Owns a strong arm with the ability to stretch the field vertically. At his most dangerous when allowed to present defenses with run-pass conflict via the RPO game or on broken plays. Capable of pulling away from defenses once he breaks free. Undeveloped as a passer in terms of mechanical consistency and situational awareness. Could stand to tighten up his throwing motion. While still raw as a passer, he has an immense upside. Projects as a Power 5 starter with the ultimate upside of becoming an NFL Draft pick with steady development."

Hornsby is now head coach Mack Brown's highest-ranked commitment in UNC's 2020 class. In addition to his four-star rating, the 247Sports Composite ranks Hornsby as the nation's No. 136 overall prospect and No. 5 dual-threat quarterback.

Hornby's commitment gives UNC's class five four-star pledges and 13 commitments overall. Downs, Grier, Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and Ethan West are the other four.

With Hornsby in the fold, UNC's class now ranks No. 9 in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.

UNC ended its spring season without a designated starting quarterback. Its QB room for the 2019 season consists of three scholarship players: red-shirt freshmen Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder, and true freshman Sam Howell.