2026 CB Julian Peterson commits to North Carolina

North Carolina has landed another former Penn State pledge, this time picking up a commitment from Atco (N.J.) Winslow Township three-star cornerback Julian Peterson.

He decommitted from the Nittany Lions on Oct. 22 shortly after the firing of James Franklin. UNC emerged as a top contender soon after and has now added his pledge to a recruiting class that’s nearing 40 commits.

Peterson is the No. 611 overall prospect and No. 58 corner in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 9 player in New Jersey.

Peterson logged an official visit to Chapel Hill in October and promptly told Inside Carolina that the ACC program was a “top school” moving forward. Clemson was another program after his pledge ahead of National Signing Day, but Peterson is locking in with Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder follows fellow three-star corners Jaziel Hart and David Davis, both of whom have also made the jump from PSU to UNC. The Tar Heels have remained red-hot down the stretch this cycle and are now back to a whopping 38 commits, the most in the nation.

North Carolina has huge DB class

When you have 38 commits in one class, you’re bound to have some impressive hauls at multiple position groups. The cream of the crop for UNC might be its defensive back haul.

There’s now 11 DBs in the No. 17 class in the nation — per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings — and that includes the two highest-ranked commits in the mix. Both flipped from national powers, too.

Avon (Ohio) four-star safety Jakob Weatherspoon looked to be locked in with Ohio State, but he announced a surprise flip to UNC on July 16. He’s now the No. 134 overall prospect and No. 12 safety in the nation.

Last month, Miami Norland four-star cornerback Kenton Dopson flipped from the local Miami Hurricanes. He’s reclassified from the 2027 cycle and now ranks as the No. 147 recruit and No. 20 corner.

Detroit Cass Tech four-star athlete CJ Sadler is also in the fold as a top-200 recruit. He’s a true two-way star and could make an impact in the secondary or as a receiver immediately.

The trio of former Penn State corner commits, Jackson (Ala.) three-star CB Keegan Chapman and Burlington (N.J.) Bergen Catholic three-star CB Xavier Jackson are among the other DBs committed with National Signing Day one week out.