Zack Pearson, Tar Heels WireWed, December 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM UTC·1 min readThe North Carolina Tar Heels have completed a big flip of a top recruit for the 2026 class.
On Wednesday, with early National Signing Day underway, the Tar Heels have flipped four-star defensive tackle Vodney Cleveland from Texas. The Tar Heels have been attempting to flip Cleveland for months now and with rumors swirling that they were close, Bill Belichick and his staff finally pulled it off.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCleveland signed with North Carolina on Wednesday after picking Texas over the Tar Heels back in June. He was also committed to Alabama at one point in his recruitment. But now, Cleveland signs with UNC and is considered a big piece to the 2026 class.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Cleveland is listed as a four-star recruit and is ranked No. 199 nationally, No. 27 defensive lineman and the No. 9 player in the state of Alabama.
He becomes the highest-ranked recruit to join UNC's 2026 class, just ahead of fellow commit on the defensive line Trashawn Ruffin.
With the struggles that UNC has had this season under Belichick, they are putting together a special class for the 2026 cycle which could be key to getting this turned around quickly.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: Tar Heels flip Vodney Cleveland from Texas
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