Heel Tough Blog: Two In-State 2026 Targets Reveal Final Schools and Decision Date

@dezeditzz- Instagram

The Tar Heels aren’t involved with nearly as many in-state targets as they were in previous seasons under Mack Brown, but the team does have two defensive backs from the home state that they are pursuing hard who have narrowed down their lists and set their decision dates as of Tuesday.

As first announced by CFB Ralb on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, 2026 3✮ S D’Various Surratt and UR S Lyrik Pettis will be announcing their commitments together on July 1st following the conclusion of their official visit schedules. 

Both guys also used the Twitter account to reveal their final four and final three, respectively. Surratt is still considering UNC along with Duke, NC State and Virginia Tech as of right now, while Pettis is down to the Tar Heels, Blue Devils and Wolfpack.

Surratt, the No. 656 overall prospect and No. 58 safety in the country according to 247Sports Sports Composite Player Rankings, is coming off of his junior season at Crest High School in Shelby, NC. He finished the year with 43 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown and four pass breakups. Prior to that, as a sophomore in 2023, he finished with 57 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns and six pass deflections. He began his career back in the fall of 2022 when he had 58 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

Pettis, who is currently unranked according to the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, also hails from Crest High School in Shelby, NC. In 2024, as a junior, he finished with 76 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five passes defensed and a forced fumble while earning second team All-704 honors and an honorable mention on the all-state team. The year prior, as a sophomore, he collected 82 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. He blew up his freshman season when he tallied 120 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and three passes defensed.

It looks like these two are more than likely going to be a package deal and the Tar Heels have to feel pretty decent about their chances going into the month. The only concern is that they visited campus back in April, but it feels like they established themselves as the leaders for both during those visits. The question now is was it enough to lock up both?