Four-star DT commit reaffirms his commitment to Bill Belichick's North Carolina with a visit this week

Four-star defensive tackle Trashawn Ruffin committed to North Carolina in March, becoming the top-rated recruit in the Tar Heels’ 2026 class since Bill Belichick took over as head coach six months ago. The in-state standout from North Duplin High School sported UNC gear for the first time this past weekend during a visit to Belichick’s program.

“How we looking heels👀🤔??” Ruffin tweeted, sharing a photo of himself in UNC attire.

Ruffin originally pledged to Texas A&M last fall, but Belichick and his staff began recruiting him heavily in December. Ultimately, the chance of playing for a legendary six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach was too strong to resist.

"UNC has the greatest coach of all time as far as I am concerned,” Ruffin told On3 following his UNC commitment. “And an all-star staff. I feel that they can lead me in the right way in order to be developed as I should be. And the atmosphere was great when we were there.

“Just knowing that I’m needed at UNC and they tell me that all the time and everyday. They say I’m not wanted I’m needed at UNC. That is a great feeling coming from a great staff.”

Following Ruffin’s commitment, North Carolina landed three more in-state 2026 recruits: four-star edge Zavion Griffin-Haynes, three-star kicker David Green and three-star linebacker Jayden Griffin-Haynes. They also had a commitment from four-star in-state quarterback Zaid Lott, who later flipped to Syracuse.

Trashawn Ruffin brings elite talent in North Carolina

As a junior in the 2024 season, Trashawn Ruffin recorded 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, a blocked field goal, and a fumble recovery across nine games. He is ranked as the No. 25 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 13 overall prospect in North Carolina, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

With Ruffin on the roster, North Duplin High School remained undefeated throughout the 2024 season until a second-round exit in the NCHSAA 2A playoffs.

"[Ruffin] has tremendous size and he has great athletic ability to go with that," Inside Carolina wrote. "But beyond that, his work ethic and who he is as a person are the things that we see that help him stand out beyond the tape. He has a lot of power. [college coaches] feel like he can anchor the middle as his primary role."

North Carolina has 16 committed players in the 2026 class, ranking No. 30 in the nation. Besides Ruffin, the Tar Heels have two other defensive lineman commits in the cycle: three-star prospects Jimmy Alo-Suliafu and David Jackson.