North Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class doubled its in-state firepower on Thursday with the commitment of two of Wake County’s most versatile and dynamic defenders — and siblings.
Rolesville High School’s Zavion and Jayden Griffin-Haynes — brothers separated by just over a year — each pledged to UNC at a joint announcement at their high school, bringing the Tar Heels’ total number of 2026 commits to 17, more than any Division I team in the state.
The brothers each carved out unique recruiting journeys before ending up in the same spot.
Zavion, a towering 6-foot-6 edge rusher and consensus four-star recruit, initially committed to UNC under Mack Brown last fall. But when Brown was let go, Griffin-Haynes reopened his recruitment and quickly became a top priority for new head coach Bill Belichick and his staff.
“I’m probably the guy they’re recruiting the hardest ever, because I was (Bill Belichick’s) first (contact) visit once he took the job,” Zavion said in a recent Inside Carolina article. “They’ve been recruiting me ever since the old staff left. That means a lot — how dedicated they are to getting me.”
Zavion Griffin-Haynes entertained official visits to Michigan, Florida State and Nebraska, but ultimately returned to his original choice. He registered 48 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hurries last season for the Rams, who finished 14-2 and advanced to the 4A state title game.
Rolesville head coach Rainer Rackley told Inside Carolina he sees elite upside in Zavion’s development: “It just depends on what he grows into because he’s 6-6 (and) 225-230 now — that’s scary. He’s starting to flip that switch where he is understanding his size, strength and speed.”
We spoke to both Griffin-Haynes brothers about their decision to commit to Carolina today.
"UNC is the place we want to be."
Zavion Q&A (VIP): https://t.co/PacUkCXnet
Jayden Q&A (VIP): https://t.co/UyiOJMe1jM pic.twitter.com/vd7vyi8PEh — InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) June 5, 2025
Jayden Griffin-Haynes took a different route. A 6-3, 200-pound athlete who’s played multiple skill positions on both sides of the ball, Jayden found a home at linebacker during Rolesville’s 4A East championship campaign in 2024.
Jayden finished with 107 tackles, six sacks, 10 hurries and two forced fumbles — and more importantly, showed a team-first mentality.
“At first, he was a little leery about (moving to linebacker), because he had never played it before, and his athleticism helps us at that position,” Rackley told Inside Carolina. “Being able to be so cerebral back there playing linebacker, understanding how to read the reads has helped him navigate that position. But he’s doing a lot.”
Jayden also was offered by UNC under the previous staff and listed NC State and Florida State as his other finalists. After an official visit last weekend with his brother, he joined Zavion in committing to the Tar Heels.
UNC now holds the largest 2026 class and the top-ranked class among Division I schools in North Carolina. 247Sports lists the Heels’ commitment list right now as the No. 15 class in the nation, fourth in the ACC. On3 ranks the 2026 group as its No. 28 class, sixth in the ACC.
The Tar Heels have four in-state commits for 2026, including:
- Zavion Griffin-Haynes (Rolesville | Edge)
- Jayden Griffin-Haynes (Rolesville | LB)
- Trashawn Ruffin (North Duplin | DL)
- David Green (High Point Christian | K)
📊Zavion Griffin-Haynes
🧩 Position: Edge
📍 Hometown: Rolesville, NC
🎓 High School: Rolesville Rams ‘26
🧢 High School Coach: Rainier Rackley
📏 Height/Weight: 6-6, 235
🏅 247Sports Ranking: A 4-star prospect, the No. 16 player in North Carolina, the No. 256 overall prospect and No. 30 edge rusher nationally.
🎯 Offers/Interest: Originally committed to North Carolina while Mack Brown was still head coach, but pulled back from his initial pledge after Brown was let go. Ultimately, after resetting his recruiting, Griffin-Haynes locked in four official visits for this summer – Michigan, Florida State, Nebraska and North Carolina. He picked the Tar Heels, dismissing the others..
🎥 Hudl highlights Zavion Griffin-Haynes
💪 Career Rewind: Transferring to Rolesville from Hillside High in 2023. Helped Rolesville to a 14-2 record and a trip to the 4A state championship game a year ago. Griffin-Haynes mustered 48 tackles for the Rams in 2024, including 12.5 tackles-for-loss and 20 quarterback hurries.
📊Jayden Griffin-Haynes
🧩 Position: Linebacker/Wide Receiver
📍 Hometown: Rolesville, NC
🎓 High School: Rolesville Rams ‘26
🧢 High School Coach: Rainier Rackley
📏 Height/Weight: 6-3, 200
🏅 247Sports Ranking: A 3-star prospect and the No. 34 player in North Carolina. Recruited to UNC as a linebacker, he’s listed as the No. 142 wide receiver nationally.
🎯 Offers/Interest: Like his brother, Jayden was originally offered by UNC’s previous staff (September 2024). NC State offered in January 2024, while a number of teams jumped into his recruiting this past January (East Carolina, Charlotte, Appalachian State, Elon, Texas A&M, Florida State, Louisville and Maryland among others).
🎥 Hudl highlights: Jayden Griffin-Haynes
💪 Career Rewind: Moved primarily to the defensive side of the ball in 2024, Jayden recorded Jayden 107 tackles, six sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
✅View UNC’s full list of 2026 high school commits: Visit our NC College Commitment Tracker.
✅See where other 2026 high school football prospects from across the state have committed: View our NC High School Commitment Tracker.
