Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Complete Flip of 4✮ DL from Texas

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The Tar Heels have been made a chore of flipping players in the 2026 class and that has carried over into the opening of the early signing window.

On Wednesday, the Tar Heels completed one of the biggest flips yet when they flipped the commitment of 2026 4✮ DL Vodney Cleveland from Texas. He committed to the Longhorns back on June 21st following a month full of official visits, which included a trip to Chapel Hill back on June 11th. He took two unofficial visits to Chapel Hill during the season, stopping in for the team’s games with Virginia and Duke, where they were able to do enough to help complete the flip.

Cleveland, the No. 243 overall prospect and No. 28 defensive lineman in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, hails from Parker High School in Birmingham, AL. Cleveland is currently in the midst of his senior season where he has 37 total tackles in 12 games. In 15 games as a junior, he finished with 50 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The year prior, as a sophomore, he collected 19 total tackles and a tackle for loss.

Cleveland, who stands at 6’4, 305 lbs., has impressive size already and could fit at either defensive tackle spot for the team. He thrives as a bull rush specialist who simply overpowers guys to get into the backfield and make plays. There are multiple times on film where he simply throws offensive linemen aside to make plays, showing just how powerful his upper body is. With his level of physicality, he doesn’t have to use technical moves to get off of blocks often, but when he does, they are very effective. He has a strong release off the line of scrimmage, as well, which puts him in an advantageous position right out of the gate and makes him hard to stay in front of. This is a perfect addition for a Tar Heel team that needs talent at this position and he could be someone that has an early effect in Chapel Hill once he gets to campus.

With the commitment, the Tar Heels are back to 39 commits in the 2026 class. The class ranks No. 17 overall and No. 3 in ACC following this addition.