Four-star DL Vodney Cleveland signs with Texas over North Carolina

Maintaining the commitments of multiple out-of-state defensive tackles was never going to be easy for the Texas Longhorns, but position coach Kenny Baker was able to secure the signature of Birmingham (Ala.) Parker standout Vodney Cleveland on Wednesday despite a late push from the North Carolina Tar Heels that included several predictions for the 6’3, 305-pounder to flip.

Cleveland committed to Texas in June after taking an official visit to the Forty Acres in addition to trips to Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Tar Heels maintained their pressure on Cleveland, landing two visits during the season.

who held offers from close to 40 different programs across the country, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and USC, among others.

Before pledging to the Horns, Cleveland committed to the home-state Crimson Tide late last October before reopening his recruitment in the middle of December.

Baker was in pursuit of the Alabama product since extending an offer in April of 2024 with Cleveland becoming the third high-level defensive tackle prospect Baker and Texas landed in June, significant steps in securing the longterm future of the position after relying on transfer portal additions the last two offseasons.

A consensus four-star prospect, Cleveland is ranked as the No. 243 player nationally and the No. 28 defensive lineman, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Analysis by Daniel Seahorn:

Let me start this by saying this — any time you can go into Birmingham as an out-of-state program and pluck an elite player from a program like Parker, you have to feel like you hit the lottery. Landing blue chippers from Alabama that grow up hearing Roll Tide and War Eagle is a very tough proposition.

Now let’s get to talking about Vodney Cleveland the player. Cleveland already possesses a very good frame at his verified 6’3, 305 pounds. That is a frame that is already prepped for the collegiate level and will not require a ton additional mass added to it.

The first thing that jumps off the tape to me is Cleveland’s first step and initial quickness at the snap. He is very twitchy for his size and when you combine that with hislus play strength you have yourself one hell of a problem at the interior defensive line position.

Cleveland is featured in an odd front at Parker, so you will see him lineup as a shade over the center and you will also see slide out over the guards as well on tape. Regardless of where he lines up it is very evident that how disruptive he can be based on how he is able to deliver a powerful punch to opposing offensive linemen and at worst create pileups and stalemates.

Even if Cleveland is not directly making the play himself, he has the ability to free up his teammates by being able to occupy and disrupt double teams. He also shows the ability to be a certified factor as a pass rusher, as he logged 5.5 sacks during his junior season.

Cleveland does have a tendency to let his pad level get a little high at times and needs to make sure he consistently uses his hands at the point of attack, but that is nothing that a good defensive line coach can’t fix at the collegiate level.

Overall, this is a very good player who has a chance to be an impact player at the next level and be a very productive starter for a Power Four program.

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