The 2025 class for Bill Belichick at UNC showed clear signs of laying the foundations, as the legendary NFL head coach relied on 42 transfers as opposed to a focus on recruitment. The result was still impressive, as the head coach took an 80th-ranked class that now sits at 44th nationally. But the major rumblings in the recruitment world are showing in Bill Belichick’s 2026 class, with 36 commits already sealed and many more in the pipeline. Though one such legacy commit has suffered a major setback.

Travis Burgess’s recruitment journey started at Grayson High School, Loganville, Georgia, as a sophomore in 2023 when scouts noted his early performances. By the time the junior season came in 2024, Travis was a highly talented player, leading his high school to a 14-1 record and the GHSA 6A State championship, passing for 2,225 yards. Within months, UNC came calling, with Belichick’s reputation being the major factor in his commitment on 3rd February 2025. But now, Belichick might be sending his staff back on the recruitment trail.

Travis Burgress, UNC’s 4-star rated QB commit, has suffered a season-ending injury and will be sidelined for the whole 2025 season at his high school. “Playing under the Friday night lights at Grayson these past two years has been the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately, due to the injury I suffered last Friday, I won’t be able to finish out the season with my brothers on the field.. This is just the start of my journey. I look forward to recovery, and I’m excited for the next chapter at UNC. Thank you again for all the love and support!” wrote Burgess on his X account. What’s next then?

Burgess had several offers coming in, including programs like Arizona State, Auburn, and Michigan. But for the guy, “Just being able to be recruited by the greatest coach of all time, and being his first guy he actually recruited, was really nice,” as Travis said after his commitment to ON3. Moreover, the trust that Belichick has in Travis’s abilities shows in the 2026 class, as the head coach hasn’t yet roped in another QB, not even a 3-star one. But can Belichick do that now that Travis is out for the season?

The 6’5″ and 205 lbs, Georgia native is ranked 14th QB in the country and 197th overall as per 247’s composite rankings. Furthermore, this season, Travis played in 2 games, passing for 329 yards and completing 16 of the 31 passes. However, now that Travis is focusing on recovery, the nature of the injury is still undisclosed. But considering the performance he put in the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles, Travis’s injury could be a big blow for Belichick if the problem persists into the 2026 season.

Should Bill Belichick look for another QB on the recruitment market?

Bill Belichick previously had Zaid Lott as the other QB in the 2026 class. However, Lott flipped to Syracuse later, which left UNC with just Burgess as the QB. Currently, UNC has 2025 true freshman Bryce Baker, Au’Tori Newkirk, and Gary Merrill in the fold, along with veteran QBs like Gio Lopez and Max Johnson. That said, apart from Bryce Baker (9th-ranked nationally), no other QBs look too promising for the future, and that can have major consequences if Belichick doesn’t recruit another solid QB.

Travis’s recovery road might be tough, but his talent can’t be taken lightly. “Coach Belichick will turn this program around in the next year or two. And I want to be a part of that legacy and help turn it around! The TB legacy will continue, go Tar Heels,” said Burgess about hopes from the new UNC head coach. As for the QB’s talent, it was quite visible in the Elite 11 Finals.

The QB was named a finalist in the Elite 11 Finals, completing 13 of the 21 passes for 3 touchdowns in a 7-on-7 session. The performances propelled the QB to a No.65 overall spot and 7th-ranked QB in the 2024 recruitment class, with national analyst Hudson Standish praising the development of Travis. “It’s to the moon for Travis Burgess… This is somebody that we loved towards the tail end of his junior season.”  All in all, we might see Belichick rope in a solid 3-star QB for a contingency plan, but his major focus would still likely remain on developing Travis Burgess for the future.