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2026 CB Jaden Jefferson commits to North Carolina

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•about 9 hours•

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North Carolina Helmet
Jim Dedmon | Imagn Images

For the third time in as many days, North Carolina has landed a commitment from a cornerback out of California.

Concord (Calif.) De La Salle three-star corner Jaden Jefferson announced his pledge to the Tar Heels on Tuesday night. He becomes commitment No. 4 in the 2026 class for Bill Belichick and the new UNC staff.

Jefferson is the No. 588 overall prospect and No. 41 CB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 59 player in California.

Gardena Junipero Serra three-star CB Marcellous Ryan first joined the Tar Heels’ class on Sunday. Then, Los Angeles Rancho Cucamonga three-star CB Justin Lewis pledged on Monday. Jefferson now joins, continuing the cross-country run of recruiting wins for the ACC program. UNC offered Jefferson on Jan. 17.

He plays on both sides of the ball for De La Salle. In 2024, he rushed for 344 yards and four touchdowns while also compiling 27 total tackles, per MaxPreps.

Belichick getting on a roll on the recruiting trail

Excitement was palpable once Belichick was announced as the new head coach of North Carolina. After the legendary NFL skipper assembled his staff and got going on the recruiting trail, offers began to fly out.

Earlier this month, Los Angeles King Drew three-star EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro committed after getting released from signing with SMU. He became a late addition to the Heels’ 2025 class and was Belichick’s first high school recruiting win.

Onyeagoro was an elite playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for King Drew, racking up 107 total tackles and 20 sacks during his senior season, per MaxPreps. Across his last three seasons, he’s tallied 263 tackles and 58 sacks.

January has seen Belichick and his staff make the rounds, visiting a slew of elite 2026 recruits. UNC has extended offers to plenty of big-time prospects, including Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons.