Can UNC land a commitment from one of the Class of 2026’s top football players?
Barring late flips or decisions from unsigned players, the North Carolina Tar Heels have their 2025 football recruiting class locked down.
In-state, 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker is the crown jewel of UNC’s 2025 class. Edge rusher Chinedu Onyeagoro is North Carolina’s other 4-star signee, while nine additional Tar Heels round out the class.
UNC is also faring pretty well in its 2026 recruiting class, which includes 14 commits. 4-star, in-state defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin headlines this bunch, which sports seven defensive and offensive players apiece.
North Carolina is hoping to bolster next year’s recruiting class with one of its top players: 5-star edge rusher Anthony Jones.
The interest appears mutual, as Jones visited the Tar Heels in recent months. Jones updated his recruitment on Tuesday, May 13 – and UNC remains amongst Jones’ top seven schools.
Jones, who plays his football at St. Paul’s Episcopal High School in Mobile, Ala. also took visits to Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Oregon and Texas A&M. 247Sports tabs Jones as the Class of 2026’s 15th-ranked player nationally, second-ranked edge rusher and overall player in Alabama.
According to On3 Sports recruiting director Chad Simmons:
“The (Texas A&M) Aggies are a contender – and the Tar Heels are working to stay in this race.”
It doesn’t appear an imminent decision will happen, but Jones also told Simmons he wants to commit before the upcoming football season – or early during it.
If North Carolina is able to land a player of Jones’ caliber, Chapel Hill becomes ever more of a hot destination for high school football recruits.
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