Bill Belichick Lands 4-Star D-Lineman, Flipping Him from Texas A&M to North Carolina
Bill Belichick continues to make significant strides in his first offseason with North Carolina, securing a major recruiting victory by flipping a four-star defensive lineman who was previously committed to Texas A&M.
Trashawn Ruffin, a highly-rated four-star defensive tackle, reversed his commitment to the Aggies and pledged to the Tar Heels, making him the highest-rated recruit to join the program since Belichick took over in December.
Ruffin becomes the first four-star player personally recruited by Belichick and the second overall under his short tenure. The other, four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, had committed before Belichick’s arrival but chose to stay with North Carolina after the coaching change.
Initially, Ruffin had committed to Texas A&M in October 2024, choosing the Aggies over other schools such as Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, and Georgia. However, Belichick and his staff made him a top priority, eventually convincing him to flip his decision.
Prior to the change, Ruffin was ranked as the fourth-highest player in Texas A&M’s 2026 class. Now, he becomes the No. 1 recruit in North Carolina’s 2026 class, marking the ninth commitment for Belichick and the Tar Heels in this recruiting cycle. He also joins Charlotte quarterback Zaid Lott as the second in-state recruit for North Carolina.
Ruffin is ranked as the 17th-best defensive lineman nationally and the 10th-best overall player from North Carolina, according to a composite of national recruiting services. 247Sports lists him as the 25th-ranked defensive lineman, while Rivals places him 13th at the position.
Under Belichick, North Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class was ranked No. 50 overall, based on the average of the four major national recruiting services.
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