Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels are making some serious noise on the recruiting front. After a rocky debut season at Chapel Hill, where the Tar Heels stumbled to a 4-8 record, Belichick is hitting the recruiting trail hard. It’s clear he’s determined to turn things around in 2026.
Joining the Tar Heels in December 2024, Belichick didn’t have much time to assemble his ideal roster for that first season. The outcome wasn't unexpected, but the pressure is on for him to deliver results soon.
Belichick is responding by crafting a top-20 recruiting class for 2026 and is already laying the groundwork for 2027. UNC has secured three commitments for the 2027 class and is consistently appearing on finalist lists for top recruits.
The latest win? Four-star defensive lineman Zane Rowe has listed UNC among his top four schools, alongside Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington.
Rowe is ranked as the 13th-best edge rusher and 93rd overall player nationally for 2027, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. He also holds the 11th spot in Texas, a state known for its football talent.
For a school not traditionally seen as a football powerhouse, UNC's presence in these recruiting battles is noteworthy. Missing a bowl game in 2025 marked the first such absence since 2018, underscoring the challenges Belichick faced in his college coaching debut.
While former coach Mack Brown might have found some humor in Belichick’s early struggles, the tide could be turning. Belichick’s recruiting efforts are a promising sign, but the real test will come when these recruits hit the field.
The increased activity in recruiting is a positive step for the program, signaling potential growth and success on the horizon.