This weekend, the Tar Heels hosted their junior day as some of the team’s top targets in the 2026 class were on campus and took in the greatest rivalry in sports.
On Sunday,irst the team landed their first commitment from the weekend in the form 2026 3✮ DL Daniel Jackson. As Inside Carolina’s Don Callahan first reported earlier this afternoon, he is committing to the team after wrapping up his trip to campus last night in the Smith Center. Jackson chose the Tar Heels over South Florida and Virginia Tech, two schools that he has official visits scheduled with for later this offseason.
Jackson, who is currently unranked in the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, hails from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD. This past season, as a junior, he collected 60 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in ten games on his way to earning first team All-WCAC honors. Back in 2023, he finished with 22 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and one interception in five games.
Jackson brings really good size already at 6’2, 285 lbs. to the room and he is a guy that does an amazing job of getting off of blocks and making plays. His suddenness makes it difficult to stay in front of him as an offensive guard, as does his powerful hands. He is a really solid form tackler that will make you pay from time to time if given the opportunity. He has a high motor and plenty of versatility which allows him to make plays down the field and he does a good job of getting his hands up if he can’t get to the quarterback. He will have to add more physicality to his game to play on the interior of the defensive line, but he has the chance to be a difference-maker within his first couple of years as a pass rushing defensive tackle.
With his commitment, the Tar Heels already have eight commitments in the 2026 class. Right now, the class sits No. 25 overall and No. 7 in the ACC according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings for this cycle.
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