Bill Belichick is going to carry some weight with players on the recruiting trail, and that’s one of the many reasons North Carolina is in an incredibly advantageous position with him as head coach.
Of course, Belichick doesn’t have any experience as a recruiter and he likely doesn’t have much patience for what happens on the recruiting trail as well as the NIL and transfer portal side of things, but he doesn’t need any of that.
Belichick’s name speaks for itself on the recruiting trail. Well, it’s either that or the multiple Super Bowls.
You’re already hearing his impact on recruits, though. Justin Lewis, a three-star defensive back from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has decided to play college ball halfway across the country just for the opportunity to have Belichick be his coach.
“Playing for coach Bill Belichick is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I had to take full advantage of,” Lewis told Don Callahan of 247Sports regarding his recent commitment to UNC.
The Tar Heels offered Lewis on Jan. 18, and he’s now committed two days later. He’s never even been to Chapel Hill before, but that’s the Belichick impact right there.
He’s turning down offers from Arizona, Colorado, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, Washington and others to play for Belichick.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Lewis is the No. 44 cornerback in the 2026 class.
