Noon Dish: 2026 Carolina Football Signing Day Special

In the first full recruiting cycle in the Bill Belichick era, North Carolina sought to fill needs across the board, especially on the lines of scrimmage. In flipping key pieces to the future away from established blue blood programs, the coaching staff accomplished the first step in the process of rebuilding the program’s image heading into 2026. Inside Carolina recruiting expert Don Callahan and senior reporter Greg Barnes join Tommy Ashley to discuss the signings and the important aspects of the day and offseason for the Tar Heels. 

Show Rundown (time stamps are for YouTube version):
0:00 – Stream begins
0:20 – Show begins
3:40 – Largest UNC class ever, numbers wise
6:53 – A lot to like about Ruffin
12:20 – Kicker rankings 
14:39 – New era of recruiting
17:51 – Jefferson’s speed
20:57 – North Carolina flavor
26:30 – UNC’s footprint
29:06 – Lessons learned
48:50 – Reporting changes over the years
54:30 – Texas talent
1:00:00 – Chapman versatile
1:02:50 – Big names that didn’t pan out
1:19:20 – Fit and development matter – a lot
1:26:42 – Clemson’s reign over?
1:31:51 – Has Carolina accomplished the goals
1:34:41 – Pressure on recruits
1:45:13 – Travis Burgess
1:53:25 – Don’s favorite
1:57:11 – Franklin at VT a problem?
2:01:24 – Coaches that don’t fit one place
2:07:52 – Cleveland commits
2:13:33 – On to the portal
2:23:06 – Signing day in February
2:27:39 – Parks in

There are many ways to get this episode and all of Inside Carolina’s shows:
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We want to thank and acknowledge our main sponsor for this show:
–> Johnny T-shirt: the best place for Tar Heel gear, a Chapel Hill tradition since 1983, and 20-year partners with Inside Carolina. Visit them on Franklin Street or check out their big online store.

Inside Carolina produces an unprecedented lineup of regular programming dedicated to Tar Heel sports, available in both audio and video (live!) formats all within a single channel, featuring the top experts. Here’s the lineup, which is complemented by special roundtables, featured interviews, reaction episodes, and more throughout the year:

* Coast to Coast (basketball & recruiting) with Sherrell McMillan, Sean Moran, Joey Powell
* The Postgame (basketball) with Rob Harrington/Dewey Burke, Tommy Ashley
* Next Level (reporting) with Greg Barnes, Tommy Ashley
* Noon Dish (football recruiting) with Don Callahan, Tommy Ashley
* The Day After (football) with Buck Sanders, Jason Staples, Tommy Ashley
* Schoett & Vipp (football) with Jeff Schoettmer and Taylor Vippolis
* The Game Plan (football) with Greg Barnes, Jason Staples, Tommy Ashley

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