Revamped UNC Football Recruiters Survive Cut for Former Alabama Commit

First-year UNC football head coach Bill Belichick and his crew are in the final six for four-star Vodney Cleveland.

UNC football head coach Bill Belichick and Tar Heel legend Roy Williams | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Top-shelf UNC football target Vodney Cleveland is down to six in his recruitment, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound junior from Birmingham, Ala., told On3's Hayes Fawcett on Tuesday afternoon. Bill Belichick's Tar Heels remain in the mix, along with heavy-hitters Georgia, Florida, Miami, Texas, and Auburn.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels Land Pledge From 300-Pound Lineman

Cleveland, a Parker High School standout who decommitted from the home-state Alabama Crimson Tide in December, currently checks in at No. 89 overall in the 2026 cycle, No. 7 among defensive linemen, and No. 6 in his state, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He's taken trips to Auburn and Florida.

NEWS: Four-Star DL Vodney Cleveland is down to 6️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 305 DL from Birmingham, AL is one of the Top DL in the ‘26 Class

Was previously committed to Alabama

Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/ByZF7YRc8O pic.twitter.com/jVPWoUDlSB

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 18, 2025

En route to a state title last season, Cleveland recorded 50 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks across 15 outings for a Parker squad that finished 14-1 overall.

As things stand, the former six-time New England Patriots Super Bowl champion head coach and his UNC football recruiting team boast a six-deep 2026 haul currently ranking No. 32 in the country, according to On3, No. 7 in the ACC.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels Enter Fray for Son of Super Bowl Champ

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