For the second time in as many days, UNC has ventured out West for a defensive back commitment. Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) three-star cornerback Justin Lewis his commitment to the Tar Heels Monday, giving new defensive backs coach Armond Hawkins Jr. another pledge since arriving on campus over the weekend.
Here is everything you need to know about the latest addition to North Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class:
WHAT JUSTIN LEWIS SAYS ABOUT UNC
“Man, it’s Chapel Hill and so many greats have been through there,” Lewis told 247Sports. “I Love coach Hawkins — Mondo, he has been there since Day 1 for me. Playing for coach Bill Belichick is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I had to take full advantage of.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Arizona, Colorado, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, SMU, Syracuse and Washington were among the other teams that had offered at the time of the announcement, with the Huskies in the best position among those suitors. Lewis recently took a visit up to Seattle where he was able to interact with the aforementioned Hawkins.
WHERE JUSTIN LEWIS RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Lewis is the nation’s No. 57-rated cornerback and state of California’s No. 79 overall prospect for the 2026 class, per the 247Sports rankings.
WHAT WE THINK ABOUT JUSTIN LEWIS
247Sports national scouting analyst Greg Biggins has seen Lewis up close for a couple years and really likes what the Heels are getting.
“Lewis is a long boundary corner who can smother an opposing receiver,” Biggins wrote in the scouting report. “He’s pushing 6-2, 170 pounds and plays a physical game. He’s very strong in run support and isn’t afraid to get downhill and lay the wood to an opposing ball carrier. He uses his length well and is strong in press coverage where he can bully opposing receivers.”…