When the 73-year-old GOAT coach entered college football, many wondered, could he connect with young recruits? But all those home visits and friendly daps showed that Bill Belichick is here to stay. For years, North Carolina coaches aimed to keep top high school talent in-state. Belichick agrees on bringing in the best local players for UNC, but he also envisions a national recruiting approach where everyone from the GM to the coaches plays a role. It’s a team-first mentality that’s all about results. And passion? It’s non-negotiable. “The players who don’t really enjoy football, then, it’s probably the wrong spot for them,” Belichick said. With that kind of fire, Belichick is setting the tone, building a culture where love for the game meets relentless drive.

Belichick’s takeover at UNC is turning heads—and rosters. With six Super Bowl rings and a no-nonsense approach, he’s flipped key recruits like LB Jake Bauer (Navy), RB Jojo Troupe (Temple Owls), OL Eidan Buchanan (West Virginia), and edge rusher Chinedu Onyeagoro (SMU), injecting instant credibility into UNC’s 2025 class. Now, the momentum’s spilling into the transfer portal. Belichick has been hit with major news out of the UNC camp—big names could be on the move, in or out. But for a coach who’s mastered roster-building at the highest level, flips and returns are just part of the blueprint.

On May 25th, the On3’s Transfer Portal IG dropped a headline-maker. According to Pete Nakos, former Tennessee wideout Nathan Leacock is on the move once again—this time heading to Chapel Hill. After exiting the Vols in December and signing with Purdue in January, Leacock suited up for spring ball with the Boilermakers. But now, the speedy pass-catcher has flipped the script. He’s committed to North Carolina, adding more firepower to Bill Belichick’s rising roster. And one spring in West Lafayette was all it took—now he’s coming home to the ACC.

Nathan Leacock’s return to his home state comes with a fresh start and big expectations. The former 4-star wideout, once ranked No. 75 nationally and No. 3 in UNC out of Millbrook High in Raleigh, had a quiet stint at Tennessee—hauling in just one catch for 13 yards in the Vols’ 2024 opener vs. Chattanooga. That lone grab came in one of 5 appearances last season, following a single-game freshman campaign in 2023.

Now, Leacock becomes the 26th transfer Bill Belichick has landed since taking over UNC in mid-December. He’s also the 4th receiver in that wave, joining Dayton Sneed and more. With NFL eyes leading the charge in Chapel Hill, Leacock’s second act is full of promise.

Nathan Leacock may not have logged a single catch at Purdue, but his potential has never been in question. In fact, recruiting expert Brian Dohn once likened the Raleigh native to none other than Bengals star Tee Higgins. “Big body type coveted by offensive coordinators to create matchup issues against smaller corners,” wrote Dohn, setting the tone for a glowing evaluation.

Not only this, Leacock’s sub-11.00 100-meter speed translates to game-breaking potential on the field. He showed strong touchdown-to-catch efficiency in high school and stood out for his body control, ball tracking, and ability to adjust to off-target throws. So now, with elite tools and a fresh start at UNC, Leacock is looking to prove the hype was always real.

While Bill Belichick’s NFL resume is already turning heads, now, he’s giving his QB another weapon. Yes, 4-star signal-caller Bryce Baker, the crown jewel of UNC’s 2025 class, recently reaffirmed his commitment to the Tar Heels. Now, he’ll be throwing to WR Nathan Leacock, who just transferred in. With Leacock’s speed and size added to an already loaded receiver room, Baker’s future in Chapel Hill just got even brighter. To be honest, the Tar Heels’ offense under Belichick is starting to look downright dangerous.

Bill Belichick’s WR room outlook

Bill Belichick is building a fierce 2025 WR room at North Carolina, blending savvy transfers with top-tier recruits. Beyond the transfers, UNC is hunting elite high school talent to keep the momentum rolling. Belichick’s master plan? Craft a dynamic, competitive WR corps ready to elevate quarterback Bryce Baker and ignite the Tar Heels’ offense for years to come.

However, key transfers Jason Robinson from Washington, Dayton Sneed from Tennessee, and Adrian Wilson from Colorado add depth and versatility. Now, Nathan Leacock—a powerful combination of size and speed—brings valuable experience from Tennessee.

National recruiting analyst Brian Dohn had high praise for Nathan Leacock, highlighting his standout skills and impact on the field. “Highly productive player with high touchdown-to-catch ratio. Tracks the ball well and has reliable hands. Plays with field awareness and has good body control. Adjusts to inaccurate passes well. Knows how to use size to position the body against smaller defensive backs. Shows ability to win 50-50 balls with regularity. Has strength throughout the frame. Difficult to re-route off the line of scrimmage because of size and strength. Is physical at the top of the routes. Can elevate and high point and is a red-zone threat,” said Dohn.

Leacock is a big-play receiver who knows how to make every catch count. And Chapel Bill is cooking! With Bryce Baker and a stacked receiving corps, Belichick’s team faces TCU in Week 1. Can the GOAT truly conquer college football as well?