Rocking his signature coats and a sly grin, the 72-year-old GOAT has been making some serious power moves in Chapel Hill. From reeling in young stars like Tyler Houser to checking out Kendre Harrison, Bill Belichick is giving “CFB coach” a whole new meaning—and proving he’s worth every penny of that $10 million salary. And now, he’s got his sights set on a top QB prospect in the 2026 class, and the Tar Heels are bringing the heat. They’re pulling out all the stops, laying down the red carpet in their quest for a new QB1. The competition is fierce, with Indiana already hosting the four-star gunslinger and locking in a summer visit. But this weekend, it’s UNC’s turn to shine. They’re going all-in, aiming to snag this elite talent and send a message to the rest of the college football world.

The elite talent? None other than 4-star QB Brodie McWhorter. This weekend, he landed in Chapel Hill. After backing off his West Virginia commitment, his recruitment is wide open. Now, the chase is on. Georgia, FSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Minnesota are all in the hunt—along with UNC. The battle for McWhorter is just getting started, and it’s about to get intense.

On Feb 2, Brodie McWhorter made his way to Bill Belichick’s UNC. After the visit, he took to X, posting, “Great time in Chapel Hill today with @Belichick_B! 🐏“. If the 4-star QB from Cass High School commits, Belichick could be the game-changer. And it makes sense—UNC’s head coach brings elite NFL experience to the table.

This wasn’t McWhorter’s first time in Chapel Hill, though. He was there back in February 2024 and seemed to like what he saw. “The visit went great, seeing everything for the first time and being in Chapel Hill, I was definitely blown away. The thing that stood out the most was the family culture with the Tar Heels. Everyone is just one big family.” And now, with another visit in the books, the Tar Heels are making their move. Will North Carolina land this QB? That remains to be seen. But McWhorter’s connection with the Tar Heels runs deep.

When Bill Belichick got hired, McWhorter was already rocking a North Carolina hoodie. His reaction? “That’s really huge for me knowing how great of a coach he is. Even rocking the Carolina hoodie today.” That’s a statement. Now, the question looms—will his love for UNC’s legendary HC seal the deal? Or will West Virginia pull their former commit back in? This battle is far from over.

And why not? Just check the numbers. Despite his junior season being cut short by a dislocated ankle and broken fibula, he still put up elite stats. In just four and a half games, he threw for 985 yards with a 72% completion rate, ran for 156 yards, and racked up 14 total TDs. Pure playmaker.

On top of that, his resume speaks for itself. He’s a two-time First-Team All-Region 7-5A selection—earning the honor as both a freshman and a junior. As a sophomore, he led Cass High School to its most successful playoff run since 1983. Injury or not, McWhorter is a proven winner. Will he be the starting QB? Maybe down the line, but not for 2025. For now, it’s anyone’s game.

Who’s gonna be Bill Belichick’s QB1 in 2025?

As of February 2025, the Tar Heels are still weighing their options, and the starting job is up for grabs. Who will emerge as the leader when the season kicks off? Class of 2025 QB Au’Tori Newkirk is officially a Tar Heel! The 6-foot-3 pocket passer from Norfolk is the latest piece in Coach Bill Belichick’s offseason rebuild of UNC’s QB room. Though unranked by ESPN, Newkirk’s commitment is a big move for the future. And he’s not the only one—he’s the third QB to join the fold since Belichick took the reins on December 11. As of now, the QB competition just got a whole lot more interesting!

“They were looking for a guy to add depth to their QB room and get the program back to where it should be and start a dynasty,” said Newkirk. But Newkirk isn’t flying solo in the QB1 race. 4-star Bryce Baker, from East Forsyth High, locked in his commitment to UNC in Dec 2024, despite the coaching change. He wasted no time enrolling early on Jan. Now, he’s ready to fight for the starting role. The competition is heating up!

But the QB1 battle doesn’t stop there. Purdue transfer Ryan Browne joins the mix, along with returning players Jacolby Criswell and Max Johnson. Spring practices and fall camp will be the ultimate showdown, with Coach Bill Belichick and his staff keeping a close eye on these rising stars. Now who will come out on top?