With the 2026 NFL Draft quickly approaching, many North Carolina Tar Heels fans are excited to see where the top playmakers' future teams will be at the NFL level.

The NFL Draft, in recent memory, has been flooded with talented players from North Carolina, including running back Omarion Hampton and quarterback Drake Maye. But the 2026 draft cycle will look much different compared to prior years, as newly-hired head coach Bill Belichick slowly continues to add future stars to the roster.

This year, the Tar Heels will send two former players to the NFL Combine in cornerbacks Thaddeus Dixon and Marcus Allen.

While North Carolina’s incredible defensive back duo quickly made a name for themselves during the 2025 college football season, it was Dixon who began to gain tons of hype prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.

The former Washington standout spent his first two seasons with the Huskies before joining the Tar Heels in 2025 via the transfer portal. During his time with the newest member of the Big 10 Conference, Dixon recorded 69 tackles, 16 pass deflections, and two interceptions.

Unfortunately for the rising star, Dixon would only play in seven games this past year, notching 19 tackles, six pass deflections, and two tackles for losses. Still, his tremendous efforts from previous seasons with the Huskies will help his draft stock, especially if he performs well at the combine.

In addition to Dixon, cornerback Marcus Allen will also look to increase his stock next week in Indianapolis.

With Dixon missing over half of the 2025 season, Allen stepped in as the team’s top cornerback. However, the veteran defender would struggle at times in this role, as he finished his final season with 38 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one sack.

Luckily for the longtime Tar Heel cornerback, his combination of size (6-foot-2, 190 lbs.) and athleticism could help him become a late-round pick in the upcoming draft. Similar to his fellow teammate, Allen must have an excellent showing at this year’s combine in order to boost his draft stock.

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