Talk about a MAJOR splash on Early Signing Day for the UNC football program!
The rumors swirled regarding the future of four star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland, who originally verbally pledged to the Texas Longhorns. Leading up to Early Signing Day, it was rumored that Cleveland was set to flip his commitment in favor of Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels, especially following two recent visits to campus.
There's no more speculation: Vodney Cleveland is now officially a Tar Heel!
BREAKING: Four-Star DL Vodney Cleveland has Flipped his Commitment from Texas to North Carolina, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’3 315 DL had been Committed to the Longhorns since June⁰⁰“Isaiah 41:10”⁰https://t.co/xfGstpFRM1 pic.twitter.com/MmW9p1pmEn
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 3, 2025
North Carolina never gave up on its pursuit of Cleveland, even after his verbal commitment to Texas back in June. Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels were able to convince Cleveland to make an official visit to campus, one that sealed the deal for him in his recruiting process.
Now, Cleveland becomes one of the biggest flipped commitments that has occurred on the first day of the Early Signing Period.
The 2026 recruiting class just keeps growing!
With the addition of Cleveland, the UNC football program now has 40, yes, 40 2026 prospects committed. We've heard plenty about how the Tar Heels were emphasizing putting together a big class to help build the foundation of the Bill Belichick era, and they've certainly gone above and beyond to accomplish that goal.
Not only is Cleveland the one to get the Tar Heels to that 40-player mark, but he serves as a big fish in this recruiting haul.
Cleveland is now the 10th four-star recruit among this class, as six of them are players who participate on the defensive side of the football. Steve Belichick is going to have a field day working with all this new talent, with the hope that this crop of student-athletes can help take the UNC football program's defensive unit to a whole new level.
Check out our Early Signing Period tracker for all the latest news and updates regarding the UNC football program's 2026 recruiting class.