Bill Belichick is all smiles. Yes, it’s a rarity, but Chapel Hill is delivering something special. The Tar Heels announced the 72-year-old NFL GOAT as their head coach, and people wondered how his pro league mindset would play in college, especially with recruiting. Well, Belichick is showing exactly what he can do. Major updates are coming straight from UNC, and the momentum is building. Top recruits are lining up, knowing Chapel Hill is the place to be. Carter Meadows‘ visit is just the latest proof—elite defenders want to play for a legend. Belichick is crafting a powerhouse, and the message is clear: if you want to dominate on defense, UNC is the spot.
Four-star edge rusher Carter Meadows just dropped a big update on his UNC visit, reflecting this message. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound player from D.C. took to X, showing love to the Tar Heels, and wrote, “I want to thank Head Coach Bill Belichick and the entire UNC staff for a great visit this past weekend!” He gave a special shout-out to LB Coach Bob Diaco for his interest. It looks like UNC’s pitch is hitting home, and Belichick’s vision is working.
Under Belichick’s watch, UNC is aiming for the top. They’re putting in the work, stacking talent, and making Chapel Hill a destination. Carter Meadows’ visit update has dropped, and he fits the mold perfectly. At 6-foot-6, he’s a force off the edge, exactly the kind of player UNC needs. Not only that, but Meadows is a two-sport star who can also play basketball. 1 He just earned a massive boost in the rankings. ON3.com officially bumped him to five-star status, skyrocketing from No. 259 to No. 6 nationally. 247Sports still lists him as a four-star. Either way, Meadows is a dominant force, and when it comes to D.C. football, he’s the top dog. And here’s the proof—UNC isn’t the only one chasing Carter Meadows.
The elite edge rusher has offers from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Georgia, LSU, and so on. But the most intriguing twist? His latest update puts Penn State’s standing in serious jeopardy.
Well, James Franklin has built a reputation for locking down recruits early, creating loyal classes that rarely waver, and Meadows was a top priority. He’s been making the rounds, two unofficial visits so far. Penn State went full-court press, and even though they offered back in March ’24, they had him on campus last June. So, the Nittany Lions weren’t just interested—they were invested. But now, things are getting interesting.
Penn State’s got a strong history with Meadows, credit to Franklin and their DL coach Deion Barnes’ talent scouting. But when Belichick steps in, his track record takes over, and it looks like he’s snagging this one. For now, Meadows’ next move remains a mystery, but one thing is certain—the race is wide open. Yes, it’s not just UNC and Penn State anymore.
Ohio State and Michigan are in the mix, making this battle even bigger. While the chase for one of the nation’s top edge rushers is heating up, everyone wants a piece.
The battle to land Carter Meadows
The hype around Meadows is real—and for good reason. He’s the total package—speed, power, and pure dominance over offensive linemen. And then came a meteoric rise of over 250 spots, turning him from a fringe 4-star to an elite 5-star. But now, the big question—who’s in the lead?
According to On3 analyst Steve Wiltfong, Michigan’s Sherrone Moore is making a serious push, and right now, they might just be the team to beat. Then came another intriguing update from Wiltfong.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 04: Michigan Wolverines Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator Sherrone Moore and Quarterbacks Coach Matt Weiss look on during the Big Ten Championship Game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan Wolverines on December 04, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“EJ Holland is reporting that he’s heading to Ann Arbor on March 21st,” he shared. And just like that, Michigan’s push for Meadows gets even stronger. It makes perfect sense, because Meadows’ skill set is a match made in heaven for Michigan—a program built on developing raw talent into elite stars. However, Wolverines won’t have an easy time acquiring Meadows. Because OSU, the National Championship champion, is also in the running.
Here, On3’s analyst made it clear, stating, “I think Michigan’s one of the frontrunners. Certainly, Penn State is another program. He’s high on in Ohio State, there’s a great deal of intrigue with the Buckeyes.” A swarm of suitors, but only one gets Meadows’ signature.
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