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New UNC Football Assistant Lands Heralded California Prep

UNC football added a second member to its 2026 recruiting haul in cornerback Marcellous Ryan.
Matt Giles|
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North Carolina Tar Heels

Less than a week after joining the UNC football program as the new defensive backs coach in Chapel Hill, former Washington Huskies secondary analyst and assistant director of recruiting Armond Hawkins helped reel in a pledge from Junipero Serra High School (Calif.) junior cornerback Marcellous Ryan on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Bill Belichick Adds Another Four-Star to UNC Transfer Class

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound three-star ranks No. 510 overall, No. 43 at his position, and No. 56 among California prospects on the 247Sports 2026 Composite. He committed to the Tar Heels, now under the direction of six-time New England Patriots Super Bowl head coach Bill Belichick, over the likes of Southern Cal, Arizona State, and Washington.

And he did so without even visiting the school yet.

Just two days after receiving his UNC offer, Ryan revealed his decision via the following post on social media:

Marcellous "Yellow" Ryan becomes the second piece to the 2026 UNC football recruiting class and the first in the cycle to commit to Belichick's staff. The other pledge is Providence Day School (N.C.) three-star quarterback Zaid Lott, who currently stacks up at No. 596 overall among his 2026 peers and has been on board with the Tar Heels since late June.

Together, Ryan and Lott comprise the nation's No. 38-ranked 2026 collection, per 247Sports, checking in at No. 8 among ACC programs at this early juncture in the cycle.

ALSO READ: SEC Powerhouse Now Eyeing Former Tar Heel Quarterback

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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