Bill Belichick will bring decades of NFL experience to the college level, and he doesn’t plan to stray far from what worked for so long in the pros — particularly the New England Patriots.

Former Patriots coach said former players watched the UNC team work out and marveled at how similar it was to what New England used to do

Bill Belichick made up for lost time. The new North Carolina head coach earned ESPN’s “ biggest riser ” honors for his first recruiting class, which includes 17 prep recruits and two transfers. The Tar Heels’ class ranked 45th and included one top-300 recruit, per ESPN, and is 10th-best among ACC schools.

Crew Davis felt at home during a weekend visit and signaled his intent to both coaches before he left Chapel Hill on Sunday.

The Tar Heels added 19 players on National Signing Day, an influx that includes four-star quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk.

The eight-time Super Bowl winner is a college head coach for the first time and doing something he has never had to do: recruit.

As things stand, Bill Belichick & Co.'s 2026 UNC football recruiting haul consists of five early pledges, none higher than a three-star. It ranks No. 32 in the country, according to On3. Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football recruiting news.

Bill Belichick continues proving his worth as a college recruiter, recently adding Class of 2025 and 2026 commitments to the UNC football program.

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The first-year UNC football head coach recently checked in with former in-state Tar Heel recruiting target Kendre Harrison.