Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Flip In-State Recruit from Tennessee

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Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels have done it again. After concerns about how Monday night would affect recruiting, the staff has just completed another flip from an SEC school.

As first reported by Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, the Tar Heels have flipped the commitment of 2026 4✮ in-state OT J.B. Shabazz from Tennessee as of Thursday morning. The flip comes after Shabazz was on campus for the team’s opener against TCU.

Shabazz, the No. 247 overall prospect and No. 22 offensive tackle in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, hails from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, NC. This is Shabazz’s second season with the school after spending the first two years of his high school career at Oak Grove High School in Winston-Salem, NC.

When you turn on the film, there is a lot to like about Shabazz’s game. As is the case with most of the offensive line additions in this 2026 class, he has all of the measurables at 6’6, 315 lbs. He has heavy hands and plenty of upper body strength that makes it tough for opposing defensive lineman or linebackers when he gets his hands on them. In the run game, he is a mauler that simply drives guys back off the line of scrimmage and often tosses guys to the side. He also looks pretty solid in  pass protection, although squattier and speedier defensive ends could give him some problems. He shows a nice level of violence at times, but just has to make it more consistent when he gets to the college level. This is another guy with the right body style that the staff feels they can turn into an elite player with the skillset that you already see from him at the prep level.

With his commitment, the Tar Heels now have 37 commits in the 2026 class, including seven along the offensive line. His commitment jumps the Tar Heels class up to No. 17 overall and keeps them at No. 4 in the ACC class rankings according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.