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Bill Belichick, UNC land commitment from 2026 tight end Cooper McCutchan

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by: Keegan Pope05/07/25bykeeganpope
Syndication: The Enquirer
Moeller tight end Cooper McCutchan catches a touchdown pass during the Crusaders' 38-21 win over Princeton Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. © Tony Tribble for The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

North Carolina is filling up Bill Belichick’s inaugural recruiting class in Chapel Hill quickly.

The Tar Heels landed their 14th commitment of the cycle on Wednesday, scoring a pledge from Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller three-star tight end Cooper McCutchan. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder chose UNC over reported offers Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Washington and others.

“100% COMMITTED to play for UNC Football!” he wrote in his announcement on X. “Thank you Coach Belichick, Coach Kitchens and Coach Pickrell for the opportunity.”

McCutchan is the No. 802 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 45 tight end and No. 30 player from the state of Ohio.

As a junior, he was an integral piece in one of Ohio’s most prolific offenses, hauling in 35 catches for 569 yards and seven touchdowns.

With his pledge, North Carolina’s now sits at No. 30 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and checks in at No. 5 in the ACC. In addition to McCutchan this month, the Heels landed five commitments in April: kicker David Green, receivers O’Mari Johnson, Kei’Maurii Miles, Darrion Kirksey, and defensive lineman Jimmy Alo-Suliafu.

Tar Heels looking to flip coveted tight end

With 14 spots in the class already filled, the number of targets on UNC’s board continues to decrease. But they’ve got their eyes on a few big fish, including Donelson (Tenn.) Christian Academy four-star tight end and Tennessee commit Carson Sneed.

The blue-chipper visited last month and continues to see a bright future in Chapel Hill.

“The chance to get coached by NFL legends,” Sneed told On3’s Steve Wiltfong of what stands out. “It feels like everyone there either coached or played in the NFL, and to know what Coach Belichick did with guys like Gronk and Aaron Hernandez excites me because I know he knows how to use me. 

… I feel like myself and that system compliment each other a lot.”

Committed to the Vols since August of 2024, Sneed is strongly considering a few others, but Carolina may have an advantage with his brother recently signing as a walk-on with the program.

“They are definitely way up there,” Sneed said. “This weekend helped them a lot for sure.”