Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UNC Making Progress With Elite 2027 Quarterback

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Max Dorsey | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 9:00 AM ET

While most of UNC and head coach Bill Belichick’s focus is on the 2026 transfer portal window, the Tar Heels have remained active on the high school recruiting trail and are making progress with several prospects in the 2027 class.

One of those prospects is a four-star quarterback and a top-400 recruit in the country who recently explained why North Carolina is among the schools standing out in his recruitment so far.

Tar Heels Standing Out to Four-Star 2027 QB

Throughout his recruitment, UNC has been targeting Will Mencl, a four-star quarterback prospect from Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona. The Tar Heels extended an offer to him in August and have been actively pursuing him since.

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While Mencl has received offers from several Power Four schools, he recently told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong that five programs are currently standing out in his recruitment: North Carolina, Auburn, Kansas State, Kentucky, and Oregon.

The young quarterback noted that none of those teams has emerged as a leader in his recruitment and that he’s very interested in all five.

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When discussing UNC specifically, Mencl highlighted Belichick and the coaching staff as the primary reason for his interest in the program. He noted that it’s his dream to play in the NFL and that learning under Belichick would give him a strong chance to make it to the league.

“The coaching staff," Mencl told Wiltfong. "I mean, if you want to go to the NFL, Bill Belichick’s arguably the greatest coach of all time with coaching Tom Brady, so that’s definitely my dream to go to the NFL. And I feel like going there, could really help that.”

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Although Mencl is only a junior at Chandler, he’s already established himself as one of the top signal-callers in the country. Rivals’ industry rankings list him as the No. 373 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 27 quarterback, and the No. 7 prospect from Arizona.

He would be a massive addition to North Carolina’s 2027 class, as the Tar Heels desperately need a young, talented quarterback on the roster following the departure of Bryce Baker to the transfer portal.

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Mencl hasn’t set a commitment date and told Wiltfong he doesn’t plan to rush his decision. If UNC can get him on campus in Chapel Hill for an official visit this spring, the Tar Heels should be in a strong position to land one of the top prospects in the 2027 class.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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