Ain’t no game like the recruiting game, and right now, it’s getting real messy in the chase for Landen Miree. The Princeton High School tight end from Cincinnati, Ohio, has had his phone blowing up with offers left and right. But just when schools thought they had a shot, new intel has head coaches like Bill Belichick and Marcus Freeman scrambling to adjust. Word on the street? Miree is locking in on his official visits, and some big names are getting left in the dust.

Landen Miree, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound athletic mismatch, has been a hot commodity in the 2026 class, racking up 15 offers from powerhouses like Wisconsin, Oregon, Florida, and Pittsburgh. But let’s be real, not everyone can make the cut when it’s time to get serious. According to Rivals, the tight end is trimming the fat and has narrowed his focus to Washington, Cincinnati, Florida State, SMU, and North Carolina. That means over a dozen schools just got hit with the worst kind of text—the ‘We appreciate your interest, but…’ message.

For Bill Belichick, who’s still finding his footing in the college game, this recruitment is crucial. With his NFL resume, his TE development history is intriguing to Miree, but that might not be enough to land him. The word on the street: Miree looking forward to commit to a program before entering his senior year. Bill Belichick should move lil faster. Miree is keeping his cards close to his chest, but his visit schedule speaks volumes.

UNC is working on his schedule visit, but they’ve got serious competition. Florida State is rolling out the red carpet, setting his visit for June 13-15. Washington gets the first crack from May 29-June 1. Cincinnati—right in his backyard—has him locked in for June 6-8. SMU? June 20-22. That’s a loaded schedule.

Notre Dame had their shot. Miree was on campus last summer for their annual Irish Invasion camp. The man put in work, but instead of sealing the deal, the Irish let him walk away without an offer. That move might come back to haunt them. “I haven’t had much contact with Notre Dame yet besides when Coach (Max) Bullough came to my school a few weeks back,” Miree told Irish Breakdown.

Freeman and company have been busy chasing other tight ends—guys like Ian Premer, Mack Sutter, Evan Jacobson, Isaac Jensen, and JC Anderson. But let’s be real—Miree ain’t one to be overlooked. And now? He’s got options, and South Bend isn’t looking like one of them.

College football analyst bashes Bill Belichick

Meanwhile, while Belichick is out here trying to prove himself in the college world, not everyone’s buying the hype. College football analyst Stewart Mandel threw some shade and wrench at the Hall of Famer, questioning if he’s really cut out for this level of coaching.

“I’ve been emphatic that the splashiest hire of the year was a bad idea,” Mandel wrote for The Athletic. “Rarely has an NFL hire found success in college, and six rings or not, Belichick is the most extreme example yet. I’m sure he’ll be phenomenal at the Xs and Os. But that’s such a small part of a college coach’s job.”

We get it—recruiting and player management are a different beast in college. But acting like schematics are a minor detail? That’s wild. Plenty of great recruiters have flopped because they can’t coach when the lights are bright. Meanwhile, guys like Kyle Whittingham at Utah have thrived with less because they actually develop talent. If Belichick can get the right personnel, there’s no reason he can’t win. But the question remains—can he connect with recruits like Miree in a way that matters?

Landen Miree’s recruitment is coming down to the wire, and the tension is real. He wants to lock in his decision before his senior season kicks off, meaning these visits are crucial. For now, UNC and Belichick are in the race, but Florida State, Washington, Cincinnati, and SMU aren’t backing down.

As for Notre Dame? They might just have to watch this one from the sidelines. Wherever he lands, one thing is for sure—this battle isn’t over yet. And for the coaches left waiting? Time is running out.