North Carolina, Bill Belichick Stack More Recruiting Wins in Summer Blitz
North Carolina football is surging on the recruiting trail this summer under Bill Belichick’s leadership. The Tar Heels now boast 32 verbal commitments for the class of 2026—and just added a major one.
Four-star defender Calvin Thomas became the latest addition to UNC’s growing 2026 haul. The standout from Cy Ranch High School in Cypress, Texas, announced his commitment on Saturday, choosing the Tar Heels over national powers like Texas and Michigan, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals.
Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker, also considered College Football Playoff participant SMU and Big Ten program Nebraska in his final group. But in the end, he delivered a strong message with his decision to join the Tar Heels.
“Gonna help bring this school to the top of the board,” Thomas told Fawcett.
Belichick and North Carolina continue to rack up wins on the recruiting trail, signaling big things ahead in Chapel Hill.
Belichick Boosts UNC’s Recruiting Blitz with Big-Time Wins
Bill Belichick is making his presence felt in Chapel Hill. Since joining North Carolina’s staff, the eight-time Super Bowl champion has played a key role in revamping the Tar Heels’ recruiting efforts—and the results are turning heads across college football.
Belichick has been instrumental in UNC’s summer surge, helping the program land several high-profile prospects, including 6-foot-5 wide receiver Carnell Warren. The South Carolina native, ranked No. 8 overall in the state, gave his verbal commitment to the Tar Heels on July 9.
But Warren is just one piece of a larger wave.
UNC has flipped multiple former SEC commits, signaling a new level of recruiting power under Belichick’s influence. On June 25, the Tar Heels stole former Alabama safety pledge Jamarrion Gordon, a major defensive pickup. They also pried offensive lineman Will Conroy away from Oklahoma, bolstering the trenches with a player once bound for the SEC.
The latest splash came with four-star linebacker Calvin Thomas, who committed to North Carolina over heavyweights like Texas and Michigan. Originally targeted by UNC outside linebackers coach Ty Nichols back in January, the Cy Ranch (TX) standout brings length, versatility, and raw athleticism to a future Tar Heel defense that Belichick will have a major hand in shaping.
According to Gabe Brooks of 247Sports, Thomas isn’t just a linebacker—he’s a potential edge threat as well:
“Power 4 caliber defensive prospect who projects as a linebacker but could also provide value as a two-point edge rusher,” Brooks wrote.
With Belichick building on both sides of the ball, North Carolina now ranks No. 18 nationally in the 2026 recruiting class, per 247Sports. And if this pace continues, the Tar Heels could be positioning themselves as a rising power with serious postseason ambitions.
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