Heel Tough Blog: 2026 Official Visit Primer- April 11th
- Anthony Pagnotta
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Tar Heels are prepared to host another big weekend of official visits in Chapel Hill as they look to add to their 2026 haul. Here is a look at all of the names that we have been able to confirm will be on campus this weekend for an official visit and where their recruitments look to stand going in.
4✮ LB TJ White- Jackson Academy (Jackson, MS)
White seems to be focused on the five schools that he is set to officially visit and the Tar Heels have to feel pretty good about where they’re at exiting the weekend. Right now, On3 Sports Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the team a 12.0% chance to land his commitment, which sits behind Mississippi State (28.5%), Florida State (20.9%) and Tennessee (14.4%). Still, this feels like a pretty open race that the Tar Heels have a legitimate shot in.
3✮ DL Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais- Cherry Creek (Engelwood, CO)
Umu-Cais’s recruitment feels like one of the most wide open ones left in the 2026 class. As of right now, he doesn’t seem to be trending towards any of the teams in particular, meaning next weekend will be a great opportunity for the Tar Heel staff to establish themselves as the leader.
3✮ S D’Various Surratt- Crest (Shelby, NC)
As of right now, NC State seems to be the team in control of this race thanks to former Tar Heels secondary coach Charlton Warren. This makes his official visit to Chapel Hill crucial if the Tar Heels’ are wanting to make any sort of noise in his recruitment, let alone land his commitment.
3✮ DL Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu- Katy Jordan (Fulshear, TX)
Alo-Suliafu is another player whose recruitment is wide open heading into this weekend’s official visit. As of right now, this is the only public official visit that he has scheduled, but regardless of if he does eventually take more, this is a chance for the Tar Heels to establish themselves as a legitimate contender and even the leader.
3✮ DL Dereon Albert- Jackson Academy (Jackson, MS)
The race for Albert is another one that feels pretty wide open heading into the official visits. In-state school Mississippi State appears to hold the slight advantage right now, but it feels like the Tar Heels have a fighting chance here, especially after they reportedly impressed him during his unofficial visit to Chapel Hill last weekend. Getting the first swing at him feels like it is a big opportunity that the Tar Heels have to take advantage of.
3✮ DL Joseph Peko- Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA)
Peko is one that the Tar Heels have work to do with if they are going to pull him from the West Coast to Chapel Hill. Right now, USC, UCLA and California are the team’s battling to keep him close to home with the Trojans having the best odds at 58.3% to keep him in state. The Tar Heels landing an official visit with him was an important step and means they are one of the few teams on the East Coast that actually has a shot with him, but they need to make a push starting this weekend.
3✮ DL Manoah Faupusa- Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
This is a guy that the Tar Heels have to love where they are heading into this weekend’s official visit. As of right now, the Tar Heels are the only school that has an official visit scheduled with him, meaning there is a huge opportunity on the table for the staff going into this weekend. A strong showing here might just be enough to walk away with his commitment.
UR Lyrik Pettis- Crest (Shelby, NC)
The Tar Heels have to feel pretty good about where they stand with Pettis right now in what looks like a three-horse race for his commitment. If the Tar Heels can impress him enough in this weekend’s official trip to Chapel Hill, it might just be enough to seal the deal for them in this recruitment.
UR Wilson Zierer- Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Rabun Gap, GA)
Zierer is a guy that the Tar Heels will have some work to do with if they are going to land his commitment. Right now, Auburn is seen as a pretty heavy favorite for him and Georgia is in pursuit of him as well. The fact that he is visiting means that you can’t count the Tar Heels out in this race, but there is going to have to be a major push here to get it done.
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