North Carolina adds commitment from 2026 OT Zion Smith

Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic offensive tackle Zion Smith has committed to North Carolina, he announced on Monday.

The decision comes just after the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder added an offer from head coach Bill Belichick and Co. Smith visited Chapel Hill and is now the latest member of the ACC program’s 2026 recruiting class.

While currently unranked in the On3 Industry Ranking, Smith is a three-star prospect, according to Rivals.

The UNC recruiting class now features six prospects and ranks No. 34 in the nation early on, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Five of the six commitments have come since the middle of January.

Smith comes from one of the top high school football programs in the nation. Last season, DeMatha Catholic won 10 games and claimed its first WCAC state title since 2016. The Stags finished as the No. 15 team in the nation and No. 2 team in Maryland, according to the On3 Composite Rankings.

North Carolina continues to stack commitments

While the star-power hasn’t been plentiful, Belichick and the new North Carolina staff have been moving fast on the recruiting trail, landing a bevy of pledges from prospects around the country.

From Jan. 19-21, a trio of defensive backs out of California each committed to the Tar Heels. Gardena Junipero Serra three-star CB Marcellous Ryan was first and was promptly followed by Los Angeles Rancho Cucamonga three-star CB Justin Lewis and then Concord De La Salle three-star corner Jaden Jefferson.

Earlier this month on Feb. 2, New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep running back Crew Davis joined the class. He and Smith join the DB trio, as well as Charlotte Providence Day three-star quarterback Zaid Lott, who committed last summer and has remained in the class following the hiring of Belichick.

The Tar Heels were the busiest team in the nation during this month’s National Signing Day to close out the 2025 cycle, too. Nearly 20 additions from December to February were added to the class, which finished at No. 55 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. In total, UNC signed 27 high school prospects.

Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth four-star quarterback Bryce Baker highlights the 2025 class, ranking as the No. 87 recruit and No. 9 QB in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.