North Texas has added a commitment from North Carolina graduate transfer quarterback Jace Ruder. Ruder will have up to three years of eligibility remaining starting with the 2021 season. 

Ruder was recruited by Larry Fedora, Littrell's old boss at UNC. He completed 4-of-5 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in his first season before redshirting. Ruder was considered to be one of the favorites to eventually start at QB for UNC before Fedora was let go after his redshirt season. New coach Mack Brown brought in Heisman contender Sam Howell and Ruder stayed on the bench. 

However, Ruder ranked as a 4-star recruit and the top player from the state of Kansas in his recruiting class. The dual-threat quarterback also won multiple state championships in track and field and was a standout basketball player as well. 

Ruder is a substantial addition for a North Texas quarterback room that struggled to find consistency in 2020. The Mean Green combined to complete just 55 percent of their passes in a disappointing 4-6 season. 

The grad transfer is expected to compete with incumbent starter Austin Aune for the starting job after co-starter Jason Bean entered the transfer portal. Other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster include Kentucky transfer Amani Gilmore, Will Kuehne, Kason Martin and Bryce Drummond.