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North Carolina HC Bill Belichick visits elite 2026 CB Samari Matthews

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•01/07/25•

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Samari Matthews 2 copy 1.jpg

With the contact period underway, North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is making his first rounds on the recruiting trail since taking over in Chapel Hill.

While it’s still taking some getting used to, the legendary NFL coach is sporting a much different shade of blue in 2025. On Tuesday, he made his way to William Amos Hough High (N.C.) to check in with one of the Tar Heel State’s top 2026 prospects.

Four-star cornerback Samari Matthews is getting back out on the road soon to see some of his early top contenders. UNC will hope to get on that short list. The Huntersville native spent some time with Belichick before beginning his next round of visits:

He’s been to Chapel Hill multiple times throughout his process and is intrigued by the hire of Belichick, telling On3 “It’s definitely crazy he’s in my state” and “I’m excited to watch this unfold,” once the move was made official.

He is the No. 51 overall prospect and No. 4 CB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in North Carolina.

At the end of December, Matthews told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that he’s eyeing trips to South Carolina, Florida State, Tennessee and Clemson across the coming weeks.

“They are another school that will be there to the end,” Matthews said about the Gamecocks. “Out of all the schools right now, they have been in contact with me probably the most. I have a great relationship with the whole staff, but especially Coach Gray and Coach Beamer.”

Matthews one of many blue-chippers in North Carolina this cycle

Matthews is one of 17 blue-chip prospects in the state of North Carolina in the 2026 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. That’s the most in the state since in the 2021 cycle — which saw UNC sign 12 in-state four and five-star recruits.

Belichick is getting around the state to see the plethora of talent that’s right down the road. Matthews is one of the many impressive athletes he’s looking to make an impression on with eyes turning toward the 2026 class.

“I think the recruiting process belongs to everyone. It belongs to Michael (Lombardi) and his scouting staff and evaluations, and setting that up in the recruiting department in terms of making this an attractive destination for the athlete,” Belichick said during his introductory press conference.

“But it’s also part of the coaching job and certainly the head coach has a big role in that as well to ensure the student athletes that you’re giving them what they want, and there’s not always a fit there, sometimes that doesn’t quite match up. But, this university has so much to offer and our football program has a lot to offer, I think that we’ll be able to attract a good quality player.”