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UNC Football Recruiters Come Up Short for Texas Prep Braylon Edwards

The UNC football cornerback target committed to another ACC school instead.
Matt Giles|
UNC football head coach Bill Belichick
UNC football head coach Bill Belichick | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

Duncanville High School (Texas) junior defensive back Braylon Edwards (no relation to former Michigan All-American wide receiver Braylon Edwards) included UNC football head coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels in his top five last week, along with fellow ACC program SMU, two SEC schools in Auburn and Arkansas, and Utah.

ALSO READ: Four-Year UNC Wide Receiver Commits to Florida State

But Edwards verbally committed to SMU on Sunday. According to On3's Hayes Fawcett, the three-star prep ended up choosing the Mustangs over UNC and Auburn.

Just recently debuting at No. 1,116 overall and No. 93 among safeties on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, the 6-foot, 190-pound Edwards is a surging prospect in the cycle.

His decision marks a relatively rare miss for Belichick & Co. in the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach's first year as a recruiter.

On the 2026 trail, the UNC football coaches boast the No. 13-ranked collection. Their 13 early pledges include a pair of top-tier three-star defensive backs in Junipero Serra (Calif.) cornerback Marcellous Ryan and Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) cornerback Justin Lewis.

ALSO READ: Tar Heel Staff Adds West Coast Defender to 2025 Roster

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