Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Land Another Headliner in 2026 Class in 4✮ LB

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For the second time this week, the Tar Heels have added a headliner to their 2026 recruiting class.

As he revealed via ceremony at his high school, 2026 4✮ LB Calvin Thomas has committed to the Tar Heels over Nebraska, Texas and Michigan, amongst others. His commitment comes after a late charge from the Tar Heels to overtake the Cornhuskers and Longhorns, who both seemed to hold the lead for him at different points in the last month following a round of official visits that began in Chapel Hill back on May 30th.

Thomas, the No. 254 overall prospect and No. 18 linebacker in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, hails from Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress, TX. This past season, as a junior, he finished with 69 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, an interception, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery on his way to earning first team All-District honors. The previous year, Thomas played in just five games, racking up eight total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 a sack and one quarterback hurry.

Thomas, who measures in at 6’3, 210 lbs., is an aggressive, downhill linebacker who loves making plays in the running game. His mindset makes him an effective off-ball linebacker and his ability to easily shed blocks allows him to live in the opposing backfield and make plays as a run defender and blitzer. He has great lateral speed and the sideline-to-sideline speed shows up, as well, even though he doesn’t utilize it as much on film. There should be no questions about his motor, which appears to run hot, just like the rest of the players that the staff is adding in this class. We don’t see him drop into coverage anywhere on his highlight tape suggesting that is an area that he needs to work on, but with his athleticism, this is an area he should be able to get better in at the college level. This is a massive addition for the future of the linebacker room and Thomas brings enough talent to the table that he might be able to have an influence early in his time on campus.

With his commitment, the Tar Heels are now at 32 total commitments in the 2026 class. The commitment also jumps the class back up to No. 18 overall and No. 4 in the ACC in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.