UNC football bolsters running back room with late Class of 2025 addition

The final season of Mack Brown 2.0 is officially over following the UNC football program's loss to UConn in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, December 28, by a score of 27-14. Despite the Tar Heels being led by a different coach — the results felt similar in many aspects.

However, the tables turn to the 2025 season as Bill Belichick will take control of the steering wheel.

North Carolina's latest addition to next season's roster is Jariel Cobb, an in-state product.

Inside Carolina with the report:

Here's more on Cobb as written by Inside Carolina's Don Callahan:

"North Carolina has made another relatively late addition to its 2025 high school class: in-state running back switched his commitment to UNC on Monday, a week after officially visiting the school.

Cobb, a 5-foot-10, 185-pounder from Reidsville (N.C.) High, committed to Air Force in July but didn't sign during the Early Signing Period. Appalachian State and Maine had also offered.

UNC has recruited Cobb for nearly two years under the prior staff. But, Bill Belichick's Tar Heels didn't offer him a scholarship until Saturday's official visit."

Although it's the first season as head coach for Belichick, it will be the first season without Omarion Hampton who completed an electric season in Chapel Hill. It's a tough task to replace 1,660 yards on 281 carries and 15 touchdowns.

It's hard for anyone to replace, really.

It will be a wait and see kind of game for North Carolina's running back situation — whoever can show up and show out at camp will be in position to take over the RB1 position.

Caleb Hood has withdrawn from the transfer portal, a potential suitor for Belichick's starting back. But there's still plenty of time before the final decision is made.

The Tar Heels do not have a game until next August. And regardless of who's playing on the field in a Carolina uniform — the players will be underneath a new kind of tutelage.