Bill Belichick and the UNC Football program have already gotten to work in the transfer portal. The eight-time Super Bowl champion is expected to bring in a wave of new talent, completely rejuvenating this Tar Heel team—and they’re wasting no time. Belichick has already extended an offer to Penn State University running back Malachi Hosley and has reportedly made another move.
According to On3 sports, the UNC football staff has reached out to one of the top cornerback prospects in the portal, Michigan State Transfer Charles Brantley. The six-foot 170-pound junior from Sarasota, Florida, has totaled 103 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 23 pass deflections in his career.
Michigan State Transfer CB Charles Brantley has heard from these schools since entering the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 12, 2024
Has totaled 103 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 5 INT & 23 PD in his career thus far
Top 5 CB in the Portal (On3 Industry)https://t.co/FGwhZn5MDF pic.twitter.com/jiXaS9GzTj
A commitment from Brantley would be a huge boost for the Tar Heels' secondary, which struggled heavily throughout the 2024 season. North Carolina allowed 28.2 points per game this season, ranking 12th in the ACC, and finished the 2024 regular season just 11th in defensive efficiency.
One notable disastrous game from the Tar Heels secondary this season was the 70-50 loss against James Madison in week four. JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett threw for an outrageous 388 yards and five touchdowns in one of North Carolina’s most embarrassing losses in recent memory.
This is the first cornerback the UNC football program has reportedly pursued since the Belichick hire, and the immediate effort to go out and find defensive talent should be applauded. The following weeks should be filled with more as Belichick and his staff look to reinvent the program.