Bill Belichick enters talent-rich state as North Carolina looks to rekindle its recruiting prowess

Bill Belichick picked up his first big recruiting victory as head coach of North Carolina over the weekend, as Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth four-star quarterback Bryce Baker announced he was sticking with the Tar Heels.

The No. 10 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Baker is staying home. He’s the only 2025 blue-chip prospect from the Tar Heel State that’s headed to Chapel Hill, however.

Baker is one of 12 four-star prospects in North Carolina this cycle. Fellow in-state programs NC State and Duke each signed one, too, while the other nine are on the move. Tennessee signed three earlier this month, including the top two in the state, Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. and four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell.

The last four recruiting cycles have seen the state of North Carolina produce 61 blue-chippers. The Tar Heels will have signed 11 of those, once Baker officially inks. Belichick is looking to excel on the trail — with Baker’s commitment being a solid first step. He’s also looking to make Chapel Hill a landmark destination for any prospect.

“We want to recruit well in-state and in this area. There’s a lot of good football players, not only in North Carolina, but the surrounding states…North Carolina is a national university. I mean, this is the best public university in the country. Any kid that wants a good education, be in a good football program, be on a great campus, playing in a great environment. We’ll recruit any kid to come here,” Belichick said on Thursday at his introductory press conference.

“I mean, I’ve been on just about every major campus in the country, there’s not many nicer than North Carolina, can’t get a better education than you can at this school, so there’s a lot going for it. I think we can recruit nationally. There’s certain kids that don’t want to leave their region, I get that, but I think we’ll be able to recruit nationally. We’ll certainly try to.”

Big-time in-state prospects are plentiful in the 2026 cycle

While rankings will continue to fluctuate, the Tar Heel State looks to be loaded with talent in the upcoming 2026 cycle. As of Dec. 16, there are 16 blue-chip recruits in the state — the most since the 2021 cycle, when a whopping 27 prospects signed as four or five stars (North Carolina and former head coach Mack Brown signed 12 of those players.)

Many of those 2026 recruits have reacted positively to the news of Belichick’s hiring. The legendary coach has an opportunity to make a big splash on the in-state recruiting trail next cycle. Six top-100 prospects from North Carolina remain uncommitted, including four-star IOL PJ Dean (No. 23 NATL.), four-star EDGE Rodney Dunham (No. 25), four-star defensive lineman Aiden Harris (No. 40) and four-star cornerback Samari Matthews (No. 51).

“I know that it is a privilege and I will be blessed with (Hall of Fame) NFL-level coaching and I will not take it for granted at all and cannot wait for the opportunity. Go Heels,” said Charlotte Providence Day three-star QB commit Zaid Lott, the lone pledge in UNC’s 2026 class.

Mack Brown’s second tenure did result in some positive recruiting for UNC, as it signed the No. 11 class in the 2021 cycle and the No. 10 class in the 2022 cycle, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. However, The Tar Heels now haven’t cracked the top 25 in three straight cycles — the 2025 class has just nine players and ranks No. 81 in the nation.

While the college coaching life will certainly be an adjustment for Belichick, his résumé and reputation is likely to provide a jolt to the Tar Heels’ recruiting efforts. A potential increased NIL package won’t hurt things, either.

“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 on Thursday.

“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.”