Bill Belichick and the UNC football program are already cooking on the 2027 recruiting trail!
The Tar Heels have convinced one of the top in-state talents to stay home, as four-star safety Marquis Bryant has announced his commitment to North Carolina.
BREAKING: Top247 safety Marquis Bryant of Rolesville (N.C.) details his decision to commit to #UNC with 247Sports.
— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) December 16, 2025
Plus, why we view Bryant as a "natural playmaker with sharp instincts" among other traits you can read about here: https://t.co/4sAcOOfCxp pic.twitter.com/lJQ3n6yzdn
Who did the UNC football program beat in this recruitment?
Bryant chose the UNC football program over five other finalists: Clemson, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee. He announced his decision on his mother's birthday, calling it "a present" to pledge to the Tar Heels.
What did Bryant have to say about UNC
In an interview with Rivals, Bryant spoke about how UNC always felt like home to him, a place he visited on multiple occasions throughout his recruitment. Of course, the arrival of Belichick certainly played a role, but that wasn't the only reason why Bryant chose to play college football at North Carolina.
“What ended up putting North Carolina on top for me was the relationships I have with the staff,” Bryant said. “How they treat me and my family is great. The development under Belichick and the staff was a big factor. Staying home was big too. You have to love who loves you, and I know UNC loves me.”
Bryant sees the vision of Belichick in Chapel Hill. After getting to know the staff and the people in Chapel Hill, the Rolesville, North Carolina native felt a strong urge to be part of what's brewing.
“Belichick is building a dynasty at North Carolina,” Bryant said. “Chapel Hill will be a portal to the NFL. He has a great plan, a great staff, and they will be about developing players. Coach Belichick is a laid-back guy, but he is all about business. He wants North Carolina to win.”
A step in the right direction
The UNC football program continues to do great things on the recruiting trail. Keeping an in-state standout home is a big step in the right direction, as the hope is that more will follow Bryant's lead in taking their talents to Chapel Hill.