In Northern New Jersey, the excitement of high school football was palpable as Bill Belichick, head coach of the UNC football program, embarked on a significant recruiting journey on Thursday. Known for his successful tenure with the New England Patriots, Belichick spent the day visiting some of the top high school programs in the area to scout elite talent.
His first stop was at Bergen Catholic in Oradell, where the Crusaders, under the leadership of head coach Vito Campanile, have claimed an impressive four consecutive state championships in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. During his visit, Belichick extended scholarship offers to several standout athletes from the Class of 2026, including:
- Najee Calhoun – three-star running back
- Jermaine Kinsler – four-star defensive lineman
- CJ Edwards – defensive lineman
- Jordan Thomas – four-star defensive back
Additionally, he offered a scholarship to Bryan Porter, a wide receiver from the Class of 2027.
After concluding his visit in Oradell, Belichick headed to Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. Here, the Green Knights, coached by Augie Hoffmann, also welcomed Belichick. This school holds a unique connection to Belichick, as he previously coached both Devin and Jason McCourty in the NFL. While at Saint Joseph’s, Belichick extended offers to:
- Jonathan Galette – athlete from the Class of 2027
- Chaz Gray – athlete from the Class of 2027
- Tahj Gray – linebacker from the Class of 2028
But Belichick’s busy day didn’t end there. He traveled to Wayne, New Jersey to visit DePaul Catholic, led by Nick Campanile, Vito’s brother. Here, he continued to seek top talent, extending offers to:
- Marlen Bright – three-star offensive lineman from the Class of 2026
- Derek Zammit – four-star quarterback from the Class of 2026
The whirlwind day showcased Belichick’s commitment to discovering and recruiting some of the best football talent in Northern New Jersey. The real question now is whether he can successfully bring this talent to Chapel Hill in the coming years.
