UNC Football Adds Four-Star Defender to 2026 Recruiting Haul

The UNC football coaching staff now has nine commitments from current high school juniors. After visiting the UNC football program and attending the basketball team’s game against rival Duke, standout defender Trashawn Ruffin from North Duplin High School in North Carolina, a consensus four-star prospect, announced his commitment to the Tar Heels on Monday evening. Ruffin is the first recruit to flip to UNC since Bill Belichick took over as head coach in December. Earlier on Monday, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI had reported that Ruffin’s commitment was imminent.

Ruffin, a 6-foot-3, 331-pound junior defensive tackle, had previously committed to Texas A&M in October. He is currently ranked No. 195 overall, No. 24 among defensive linemen, and No. 12 in North Carolina according to the 247Sports 2026 Composite rankings. After receiving an offer from UNC when Mack Brown and his staff got involved in September, Ruffin chose the Tar Heels over Texas A&M and a host of other schools, including LSU, South Carolina, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas, among others.

With Ruffin’s commitment, the 2026 UNC football recruiting class now has nine early commits, ranking No. 22 nationally and No. 6 in the ACC according to 247Sports.