Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Flip 2026 4✮ CB from Miami

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After suffering a big decommitment earlier in the day in the 2027 class, the Tar Heels have completed a major flip on the 2026 recruiting trail.

As he announced via social media, 2026 4✮ CB Kenton Dopson has flipped his commitment from Miami to UNC. The flip comes after Dopson took a visit to campus during the Richmond game following an offer from the Tar Heels back in August. Last month, he announced that he was officially reclassifying to the 2026 class just prior to his official visit during that Richmond game.

Dopson, the No. 158 overall prospect and No. 17 cornerback in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, is currently in the midst of his final season at Miami Norland High School in Miami, FL. Unfortunately, Dopson’s stats for this season are currently unavailable via Maxpreps. As a sophomore a year ago, he finished with 16 total tackles, three interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 11 games.

Dopson is the type of corner that the Tar Heels were lacking in this class. He thrives in man coverage, especially in press man situations. In terms of opening his hips, he looks really smooth and that allows him to stick with receivers really well on the routes deep down the field. His ability to play the football is encouraging and he brings a level of physicality that will be more than welcome at the corner spot. He also excels at breaking on the football which allows him to make so many of those plays on the ball. The hope is that he can come in here and be an immediate contributor, but the Tar Heels need to keep their foot on the gas here after he told Rivals following the commitment that he is “locked in with North Carolina right now”.

With his commitment, the Tar Heels class is back up to 37 total commits, including four at the cornerback spot. The recruiting class also jumps up a spot to No. 16 overall and sits No. 4 in the ACC according to 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.