Intel: North Carolina coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels building on a Top 25 recruiting class

North Carolina has Rivals No. 24 ranked recruiting class, and Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels are one to watch for several top targets moving forward.

On3 highlights what’s been happening on the trail for the ACC program.

North Carolina quickly stacking the quarterback room

To date, Belichick and his staff have 27 commits, with four-stars in defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin and quarterback Travis Burgess the jewels. Stacking talented quarterbacks in Bryce Baker and Burgess in back-to-back classes should maintain the standard of play under center we’ve seen recently in Chapel Hill.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Burgess is coming off a terrific junior season. En route to a state championship he completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,225 yards and 23 touchdowns to just four interceptions. He added another 596 yards rushing and four more scores.

Burgess was fantastic at North Carolina’s 7v7 and had an awesome showing at the Elite 11 Finals where Rivals Director of Scouting Charles Power ranked him among the top performers from the three-day event.

“Burgess was a standout on Day 2 at the Elite 11 Finals, turning in one of the better pro day workouts among the group. Burgess was confident in working through the 20 throw script. The North Carolina pledge delivered with velocity and placement while charting on target on 18 of 20 passes. He backed that up with a solid showing on Day 3, throwing three touchdowns during 7-on-7 play. 

“At 6-foot-4.5, 210 pounds, he owns one of the bigger frames among the Elite 11 Finalists. The mechanics also look the most dialed in we’ve seen from him to this point, allowing for improved velocity.”

New Prediction for the Tar Heels

North Carolina has emerged as the favorite for Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech four-star athlete CJ Sadler, who has a skillset to shine at receiver and in the secondary.

Sadler is also strongly considering Colorado and Maryland.

Beyond these three programs, Sadler said he wants to take official visits in the fall. He ranks as the No. 1 recruit in Michigan, No. 6 athlete in the country and No. 93 prospect overall.

A few other touted prospects UNC is in prime position for

Two prospects who could be next to join the fold include Jackson (Ala.) High four-star receiver Keeyun Chapman and Jackson (Miss.) High athlete O’Mari Johnson. I added a prediction for Chapman who is the nation’s No. 26 receiver and No. 186 prospect overall.

North Carolina is one of the favorites for Tabor Academy (Mass.) four-star edge rusher Carter Gooden. He took his official in June and is a top of the board target. He took a wave of OVs that also included Arizona State, UCLA, Michigan State, Virginia, Penn State and Boston College. Gooden is the No. 22 edge in the class and No. 168 prospect overall.

The Tar Heels are a front-runner for a top in-state defensive back in safety D’various Surratt.

A decision is not expected soon but Bluffton (SC) High four-star Carnell Warren is another thinking strongly about UNC.

Offensive line has been a huge priority this cycle Englewood (Colo.) Kent Denver School offensive tackle Tripp Skewes is another they’d like to add.

“The coaches are amazing,” Skewes said. “They have a lot of good commits and the academics is amazing.”