2026 CB Justin Lewis commits to North Carolina

Los Angeles Rancho Cucamonga three-star cornerback Justin Lewis has committed to North Carolina, according to multiple reports.

He chose the Tar Heels over offers from Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Miami, Nebraska and others.

Lewis is the No. 526 overall prospect and No. 38 corner 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. 57 player in California.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder formerly played his high school ball for Corona (Calif.) Centennial, but made the move to Rancho Cucamonga for his junior year. The Cougars finished with a 6-5 record in 2024 and ranked as the No. 47 team in the state, per the On3 Composite.

New UNC head coach Bill Belichick has now landed a pair of defensive back pledges in as many days. On Sunday, Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra three-star CB Marcellous Ryan announced his commitment to the Tar Heels.

As a junior this fall, Ryan notched 47 total tackles, including 4 TFLs, as well as a sack, three quarterback hurries and three interceptions.

Belichick and Co. have hit the recruiting trail running since settling in in Chapel Hill. The 2026 class now features three commitments, as Lewis and Ryan join Charlotte Providence Day three-star quarterback Zaid Lott, the No. 45 QB in the cycle.

North Carolina gaining recruiting momentum

Lewis is the third high school prospect to commit to Belichick since he took over in Chapel Hill. Over the weekend, Los Angeles King Drew three-star EDGE Chinedu Onyeagoro, a former SMU signee, became a late addition to UNC’s 2025 class.

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.

Huntersville (N.C.) William Amos Hough top-50 cornerback Samari Matthews was recently visited by Belichick, and the addition of the legendary NFL head coach has the Tar Heels thoroughly in the mix for his pledge:

“They were already high on my list, but of course, since he is there, my interest is way higher now,” Matthews told On3. “The impact he brings is definitely serious and I’m excited to watch Carolina grow.”