Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels One of the Final Five for 2026 3✮ DL

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The Tar Heels have already landed three defensive linemen in this 2026 recruiting class and they aren’t done just yet. On Wednesday morning, the Tar Heels received news that one of their top remaining targets is down to five schools and getting closer to a decision.

As he announced via social media earlier today, 2026 3✮ DL Manoah Faupusa has cut his list of schools to five with UNC, Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Oklahoma State still left in the hunt for him.

Faupusa, the No. 946 overall prospect and No. 100 defensive lineman in the 2026 class, hails from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. In six games this past season, he racked up 20 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed. Back in his freshman year he was named the West Catholic Athletic League’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in a season where he finished with 31 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble in 12 games.

When it comes to where the race for Faupusa stands, it feels like two teams hold an advantage. The Tar Heels hosted him for an official visit back on the weekend of April 11th and have established themselves as a serious contender for him based off his comments and social media interactions, too. The same can be said for Arizona, who is the only other school that he has an official visit set with (June 13th). Until the other schools get an official visit scheduled, it feels like this is a two horse race and the Tar Heels have to feel pretty good about their standing.