There is a new regime in Chapel Hill, and its reputation precedes it.
Bill Belichick took the reins of North Carolina’s football program in mid-December. The legendary coach’s first task was to build a staff, and he did just that by hiring decades of combined NFL coaching experience from analysts to coordinators. Now he’s using that staff to go recruit players that fit the Bill Belichick standard.
It’s no secret that Belichick and his staff prefer a certain type of mindset, skillset and physical build for a player –depending on the position. So on top of recruiting elite talent, the Tar Heels are looking for players that also fit the program’s culture under Belichick.
Two seniors have committed to North Carolina’s 2025 class after Belichick was named the new head coach, yet no juniors have pledged for the Tar Heels since the hire.
So where can Belichick find the right players for the new-look Tar Heels? The answer may be Southwest Florida.
Freddie Kitchens was Belichick’s first hire after getting the job in Chapel Hill. Kitchens, who coached in the NFL for 16 years, was serving as interim head coach for North Carolina before Belichick tapped him for the run game coordinator/tight ends coach.
Kitchens has made a concerted effort to recruit the top talent in SWFL and it culminated in at least six local players receiving an offer on Thursday.
Three players from Fort Myers High were offered. Three-star senior athlete Madrid Tucker (who did not sign in the early signing period), along with four-star junior defensive lineman Kendall Guervil and unranked junior lineman Joel Ervin. Tucker tallied 1,367 all-purpose yards for the Green Wave with 14 touchdowns. Guervil registered 88 total tackles, including 12 TFLs and a pair of forced fumbles.
North Fort Myers’ James Johnson, a four-star defensive lineman in the class of 2026, also earned a scholarship offer from North Carolina. Johnson wrapped up his junior campaign with five sacks and 60 total tackles through nine games played.
A pair of First Baptist players also reeled in offers from Belichick and company. Jayden Petit, one of the most coveted receivers in the 2026 class, was a no-brainer for North Carolina to offer. The 6-foot-4 four-star reeled in 50 passes for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Lions also played Petit in several spots on defense, and he registered 3.5 sacks on 21 total tackles.
North Carolina also extended a scholarship to freshman quarterback Brady Quinn, who has picked up significant steam on the recruiting trail after being named the starter as a freshman. While Belichick’s timeline as head coach of the Tar Heels may not align with Quinn’s, his staff still sees a player worth building a relationship with.
“The amount of NFL experience they have helps (their case) because the goal is the NFL,” Quinn said. “And they can help me get there because they know what it is like and they have lots of knowledge. It feels great to be recruited by them because they can see my potential and know what kind of player I am at such a young age”
Quinn earned the starting role in Week 4, and First Baptist went 6-3 with the 6-foot-1 signal caller. He finished the year with 2,459 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on 176-of-316 completions with nine interceptions.
