Summary
A high school football player, Vodney Cleveland, decided to join the University of North Carolina (UNC) instead of the University of Texas. This was a surprise because he had previously committed to Texas but switched his decision on the final signing day. This is considered a major win for UNC and a significant loss for Texas.
Key Facts
- Vodney Cleveland is a four-star defensive tackle, a position focused on defense in football.
- He is 6-foot-3 inches tall and weighs 305 pounds.
- Cleveland had offers from nearly 40 Division I schools and was highly rated among defensive line recruits in his class.
- He originally committed to Alabama in 2024, switched to Texas in June 2025, and finally chose UNC on signing day.
- UNC coach Bill Belichick sees this as a key addition after a challenging season with a 4-8 record.
- The University of Texas was counting on Cleveland to strengthen their defense, which struggled at times this year.
- Texas finished the season with a 9-3 record, narrowly missing a top college football playoff spot.
- This recruitment change indicates that UNC can still attract top talent despite recent struggles.
