Bill Belichick, North Carolina Land Recruiting Win Over Major SEC Program

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:30 PM ET

North Carolina and new head coach Bill Belichick's latest recruiting win came against an SEC power on Friday.

The recruiting trail has been a pivotal challenge for Belichick, who is entering his first season within the college ranks after a legendary NFL coaching career. And the six-time Super Bowl champion has left a notable mark thus far.

The Tar Heels seemingly put their focus on the transfer portal over the spring, signing the nation's No. 8 class which also finished as the second-best class in the ACC.

Entering Belichick's first full high school recruiting cycle, North Carolina has gained some momentum by gaining 18 commitments in the class of 2026, including three-star safety Julian Burns.

Burns (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) plays for Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana. UNC received an official visit from Burns on May 30 before he announced his pledge to the Tar Heels on Friday.

Cribbb @UNCFootball @On3Recruits @adamgorney @247recruiting @SWiltfong_ @CoachJMCollins #Gotarheels pic.twitter.com/eTNhdSdtCF
— Julian “JuJu” Burns 4⭐️ SAF (@Lxckdown_JuJu2) June 13, 2025

Burns was also considering Tennessee, which was one of the first programs to extend a scholarship offer back in the spring of last year.

Head coach Josh Heupel's Volunteers were slated to officially host Burns on June 20, but that visit has been cancelled, according to Sam Spiegelman of Rivals.

Additionally, Arkansas and Mississippi State will no longer host Burns on campus.

The addition of Burns brings North Carolina's 2026 class to 29th nationally after finishing 43rd in that aspect in the 2025 cycle.

There is certainly a long ways to go for Belichick and his staff to rebuild a roster that finished near the bottom of the ACC under former head coach Mack Brown last season.

However, recruiting wins like the addition of Burns over major programs should give Tar Heels faithful some hope.

Belichick is slated to make his debut when UNC opens the 2025 season at home against TCU on Sept. 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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