Sep 13, 2019; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet lays on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images

Elite North Carolina Commit Shuts Down Recruitment

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Caleb Sisk | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 1:19 PM ET

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been one of the better teams when it comes to landing recruits in the 2026 class, including the best of the best on the defensive side of the football. The North Carolina Tar Heels have been one of the better teams more specifically when it comes to landing defensive linemen.

They have landed many of the best defensive linemen in the class, including arguably the best defensive lineman in the class.

That player being Trashawn Ruffin. Ruffin is one of the better players in the class, and is one of the better prospects when it comes to hunting down running backs down the middle. He committed to the Tar Heels back on March 17th, and is one of the longest-reigning commits in the 2026 class. He has remained loyal to the Tra Heels since then.

Some great news for the Tar Heels has circulated, as the North Duplin High School football star, and the defensive lineman from the state of North Carolina (Mt. Olive, North Carolina). The North Duplin High School defensive lineman from the state of North Carolina Tar Heels.

The news has circulated that the talented prospect is locking his recruitment down, and will remain 100% committed at this time, and will sign with the Tar Heels when that time comes. This is something that he detailed with North Carolina Tar Heels On SI last month. Here is what the talented prospect had to say in that interview.

"I don't plan any more visits. Locked in, I love my coaches already. I know them all by name, and I feel that they truly do want and need me. Now I am here and ain't going anywhere. Gonna be a long ride. I am good. UNC is where I want to be."

Recruitment is 1000% shut down!!#GOHEELS pic.twitter.com/tQDBucKN5j
— Trashawn Ruffin (@TrashawnRuffin) July 30, 2025

He detailed what it meant to him to be committed as well with North Carolina Tar Heels On SI.

"It's really great. It has taken a lot of stress out of the process and has enabled me to work harder on my craft," the North Carolina Tar Heels target stated when speaking to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI.

Ruffin remains one of the highest-rated commits in the class at this point in his recruitment, and will be one of the better players in the class when it is all said and done. He will likely see the field early, which makes this news even more important.

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This article first appeared on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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