<a href="https://www.on3.com/high-school/rolesville-rolesville-nc-12995/">Rolesville</a> (N.C.) four-star EDGE <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zavion-griffin-haynes-238441/">Zavion Griffin-Haynes</a> is still considering <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/north-carolina-tar-heels/">North Carolina</a> despite his decommitment from the in-state program at the end of November.



The Tar Heels and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/mack-brown-133545/">Mack Brown</a> parted ways, leading to Griffin-Haynes’ decommitment. Once <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/bill-belichick-132037/">Bill Belichick</a> was tabbed as the new skipper in Chapel Hill, though, the blue-chip recruit made it clear that he was not ruling out a return to UNC’s 2026 pledge list.



Now, as plenty of top programs battle for Griffin-Haynes, he’s set to visit North Carolina on Wednesday. Griffin-Haynes confirmed the spring visit plans on Tuesday:



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">ILL BE IN CHAPEL HILL TOMORROW !!! <a href="https://twitter.com/Belichick_B?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Belichick_B</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNCFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNCFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RRACKLEY9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RRACKLEY9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mlombardiuncgm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mlombardiuncgm</a> <a href="https://t.co/r2vQnCTXav">pic.twitter.com/r2vQnCTXav</a>— Zavion "Z9" Griffin-Haynes (@ZavionGH) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZavionGH/status/1897069022413508820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Once Belichick settled in, he immediately hit the trail to visit the top recruits in and around the area. That, of course, included Griffin-Haynes. The two had a productive conversation, keeping UNC in high standing with the in-state recruit.



“Just the change of the program,” <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/north-carolina-bill-belichick-zavion-griffin-haynes/">Griffin-Haynes told On3’s Steve Wiltfong about he and Belichick’s conversation</a>. “How the NFL caliber comes apart (of it) and how the program (will) grow into a championship program.”



“He told me I’m an NFL player I gotta do what it takes to get there and coming to UNC he will make sure I’m in the right position too,” he recapped.



Earlier on Tuesday, Griffin-Haynes officially named his top 11 schools. North Carolina is flanked by the likes of <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/georgia-bulldogs/">Georgia</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/">Florida</a>, both of which have locked in official visit dates already. Texas, Miami, Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame and Ohio State are among the other schools that made the cut.



Griffin-Haynes is the No. 225 overall prospect and No. 27 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2026/">On3 Industry Ranking</a>, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 14 player in North Carolina.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tar-heels-looking-to-keep-momentum-on-the-trail">Tar Heels looking to keep momentum on the trail</h2>



Heading into the February Signing Day, UNC rode some momentum to close its 2025 recruiting class. It also caught some fire with 2026 recruits and now has seven commits in the mix, as of March 4. 



From Jan. 19-21, a trio of defensive backs out of California each committed to the Tar Heels. Gardena Junipero Serra three-star CB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marcellous-ryan-178736/">Marcellous Ryan</a> was first and was promptly followed by Los Angeles Rancho Cucamonga three-star CB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/justin-lewis-154618/">Justin Lewis</a> and then Concord De La Salle three-star corner <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaden-jefferson-178046/">Jaden Jefferson</a>.



Last month on Feb. 2, New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep running back <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/crew-davis-249264/">Crew Davis</a> joined the class. He and Hyattsville (Md.) <a href="https://www.on3.com/high-school/dematha-catholic-hyattsville-md-16488/">DeMatha Catholic</a> offensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zion-smith-242324/">Zion Smith</a> join the DB trio, as well as Charlotte Providence Day three-star quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zaid-lott-176258/">Zaid Lott</a>, who committed last summer and has remained in the class following the hiring of Belichick.

Zavion Griffin-Haynes 6 copy 1.jpg

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North Carolina getting former 4-star EDGE commit Zavion Griffin-Haynes back on campus for spring visit

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