Belichick Shares Insight on National Signing Day Process

• "This is really our first recruiting class," Belichick said. "Last year, [my arrival] was after the signing day, so it was a completely different situation, procedure, and process. So, this was really a very long process."

Belichick is extremely optimistic about this class, and believes it be the building blocks for the future of the football program for the foreseeable future.

• "It's a big class, and we're excited about the players that have signed and committed here," Belichick said. "They will be a foundation for our program. They represent, really the values that we stand for, at least the way we feel at this time. That’s why we recruited those players, and it really transcends the entire football team."

• "We signed one quarterback, one running back, but in other positions — receiver, tight end, offensive-defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, a kicker and a punter — it’s a pretty balanced class," Belichick continued.

The 73-year-old head coach understands that persuading these student-athletes to commit to a program for what could be four years is significant and life-changing. Belichick spoke on that during his press conference.

• "We had other follow up conversations with people that were connected to them - coaches, mentors, and family members," Belichick said.

• "We continue to work on the relationship process with these players and their parents. A lot of this is about relationships, trust, and families trusting us with their kids and their development of their career. We take that very seriously and want to make sure that we have clear lines of communication and transparency with all the things that are involved on that."

• "Today was a day to follow up on many things that have been done over the past," Belichick continued. It has been a period of time, which could be weeks, months, or in some cases, actually, years, that some of these players have been recruited by somebody here in North Carolina. So, when you look at the culmination of today and the months and months of work that was put into this recruitment class by so many people in building their relationships, it's a 365-day-a-year job."