Clemson’s lone remaining cornerback target in the 2026 recruiting class is heading elsewhere.

Three-star corner Julian Peterson (Winslow Township, NJ) has committed to North Carolina, choosing the Tar Heels over Clemson and Wisconsin.

Peterson originally committed to Penn State back in January, but opened things back up after the firing of James Franklin. He took official visits to all three of his finalists, with the Tigers getting the final one last weekend.

247 ranks Peterson No. 45 among all corners in the class and No. 8 in the state of New Jersey.

With Peterson announcing for North Carolina, the Heels have now landed three defensive backs who were at one time committed to the Nittany Lions.

The Tigers still have two corners committed in the 2026 class in three-star prospects Shavar Young Jr. and Marcell Gipson after not having signed one in the previous recruiting cycle.

Photo by Bart Boatwright