Well, looks like Bill Belichick is trying his level best to gain North Carolina fans’ trust. After all, it has been long since the former NFL HC has heard something good about himself. Either it’s the college football fans bashing him online for his personal life, or they are digging up Belichick’s dark past. But it’s high time that fans should embrace their new HC.

After all, the 72-year-old is trying his best to win their hearts. However, maybe Belichick should be ready for some more salty remarks. That’s because he is not walking the conventional road. Will he have to pay for this unorthodoxy later on? 

Bill Belichick’s bold moves in the recruiting race

For so long, Belichick had been under the critical radar of the fans for his contract. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported in January that the HC technically hadn’t signed his UNC contract yet. This led to further speculations that he might be opting to get out of college football soon and explore gigs in the NFL. However, this has now been sorted as the ex-NFL HC did finalize his commitment. So, it’s time for him to implant the pillars deep in Tar Heels’ ground. However, what about exploring some unconventional options?  

Well, looks like Belichick is all set to take risks. As per the reports, the Tar Heels just landed a big recruit: Crew Davis, a 2026 running back from Iona Prep in New Rochelle, NY. He’d already visited Chapel Hill before committing. Besides being a talented RB, he is also a highly touted lacrosse player with numerous college offers. However, what made Belichick’s eye on the two-sport athlete?

Davis’ stats, of course. As a junior this past season, he ran for 1,350 yards, scoring 16 TDs and averaging 10.6 yards per carry. Surprisingly, Davis is not the only one. 

As National Analyst Ty Xanders tweeted, “A Top 50 recruit and @UNCMensLacrosse commit, @CalvertHallLax senior LSM Jermaine Anderson just announced that he’ll also play for @UNCFootball.” The 6’2” and 195-pound young chap also plays for the outside linebacker position. Amidst these recruitments, let’s not forget the 2,000-yard phenom.   

How is Bill Belichick proving his doubters wrong? 

Another big win for Belichick. On January 28, the Tar Heels HC landed St. Anthony’s High School (N.Y.) standout Gary Merrill, a five-star midfielder. He has long been committed to playing lacrosse in Chapel Hill. Now what makes this two-sport athlete so special and a big win for Belichick? As a senior, Merrill became the Gatorade New York Football Player of the Year after completing 124 of his 180 passes (68.9 percent) for 1,762 yards.

Plus, he comes off as the dual-threat signal-caller. Belichick’s new recruit led Anthony’s Friars to a 9-4 overall record, racking up another 1,955 yards and 32 touchdowns. He will be joining two more decorated quarterbacks. Maury High School’s (Va.) three-star Au’Tori Newkirk and four-star early signee, Bryce Baker. That’s how Belichick is breaking boundaries that are held against him. Remember when analysts doubted Bill Belichick for not being able to cope with the demands of the recruiting race in the college football landscape? 

On The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast, FOX writer Bruce Feldman said, “North Carolina folks and Bill Belichick can talk about, like yeah, it’s going to be like an NFL model…but like enough, people. I know who has actually been doing a job for a while…it’s going to drive him mad.” The host too doubled down, saying, “Wait until he’s in seven high schools in New Jersey in like a 20-hour period.” And now? The younger HCs like Lane Kiffin and Dan Lanning can no longer take Bill Belichick lightly in the recruiting race.