All Tar Heels

UNC Football Jumps Four More Spots in Recruiting Rankings

The UNC football staff added a pair of siblings to its top-shelf 2026 haul.
Matt Giles|
UNC football
UNC football | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

Announcing a UNC football commitment is nothing new for Rolesville High School (N.C.) edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes. As a junior back in the fall, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound four-star initially committed to the Tar Heels before reopening his recruitment soon after the program parted ways with Mack Brown.

ALSO READ: Five-Star 2026 WR Includes UNC Among Finalists, Locks In Decision Date

This go-round, though, after giving UNC the statement recruiting win over fellow finalists Nebraska, Georgia, and Florida State on Thursday, Zavion Griffin-Haynes joins an impressively deep Bill Belichick & Co. class.

And at No. 256 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, Griffin-Haynes headlines the early group on board with the new staff in Chapel Hill, as he currently sits 28 notches above the Tar Heels' huge March commit in North Duplin High School (N.C.) four-star defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin.

Plus, Zavion Griffin-Haynes' latest UNC pledge came in unison with his older brother in fellow 2026 defender Zayden Griffin-Haynes, a top-tier three-star linebacker and first-time commit who checks in No. 1,010 overall among rising high school seniors. He chose the Tar Heels over Florida State and NC State.

The 2026 UNC football collection now consists of 17 pledges, with 13 stacking up among the top thousand prospects nationally. Factoring in the Griffin-Haynes additions, Belichick and his Tar Heels rank No. 15 in the cycle, per 247Sports, and No. 4 in the ACC.

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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