Heel Tough Blog: 2026 3✮ CB Recommits to the UNC

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The Tar Heels have been looking to add another outside corner to this 2026 class and they have gone back to a former commit to do so.

As first reported by Inside Carolina, 2026 3✮ CB O’Mari Johnson has recommitted to the Tar Heels after decommitting from the team back on May 30th. Johnson chose the Tar Heels over Mississippi State and Tulane, the other two schools that he was considering heading into the decision. He was previously committed to the Tar Heels a little under two months earlier this spring.

Johnson did not play on the defensive side of the football this year after he was hurt during the first game of this past season, which caused him to miss the entire season. As a sophomore in 2023, he collected 52 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, four interceptions and six passes defensed. The year prior, as a freshman, he tallied 29 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. Back in 2021, as an 8th grader, he had 31 total tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed.

Johnson is a promising young option that has the versatility to play either safety or corner. He has really strong speed, which allows him to break on the football and hands translate over from the offensive side of the football, leading to takeaways. He is a very solid tackler and has the ability to make guys pay over the middle with hard hits. He is willing to be involved in the run game, something that he’ll need to show if he is going to stick at safety or nickel corner. In terms of the outside corner spot, he has fluid hips which allow him to change direction with relative ease and he has the speed to stick with receivers or even comeback to make plays on the ball if he gets beat over the top. There are still some areas that he will need to sure up when he gets to the college level, but there is a lot of raw talent for this defensive back staff to work with. He is definitely a guy that you could see becoming a multi-year contributor for the team at either safety or corner.

With his commitment, the Tar Heels’ 2026 class now has their fifth defensive back commitment and 28th overall. The class now sits 19th overall and 5th in the ACC in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.