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Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels land former Tennessee Vols player who was a highly touted recruit

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated May 26, 2025 10:50 AM ET

A former Tennessee Vols player who was a highly touted recruit is heading to Chapel Hill to join Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Former Vols wide receiver Nathan Leacock initially transferred to Purdue this offseason after spending the first two seasons of his career at Tennessee.

Leacock re-entered the NCAA transfer portal following spring practice.

BREAKING: Purdue transfer WR Nathan Leacock has committed to North Carolina, @PeteNakos_ reportshttps://t.co/6R3acN5ecb pic.twitter.com/NXc8seRyzy
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) May 26, 2025

Leacock, 6-foot-3/216 lbs from Raleigh, NC, was rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 13 wide receiver in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 76 overall player in the nation.

The North Carolina native caught just one pass for 13 yards during his two seasons at Tennessee.

Leacock's most memorable moment on Rocky Top came last season against Chattanooga when he made an effort play to keep a touchdown off the board on a would be pick six.

Nathan Leacock kept 7 points off the board in a 55-3 game in the fourth quarter with this effort (Gaston Moore and Peyton Lewis with the effort, too) pic.twitter.com/LtRZCUMpsb
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) September 3, 2024

Leacock has the talent to be a productive wide receiver at the collegiate level. Maybe a fresh start at North Carolina under Belichick will help the former Vol unlock that talent.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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