In a major recruiting win for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels, four-star athlete O’Mari Johnson announced his commitment to UNC, choosing Chapel Hill over a long list of SEC suitors, including LSU, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
Johnson, a standout at Jackson Academy in Wesson, Mississippi, made his decision public and then broke down his commitment in an interview with 247Sports.
For the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder who plays both wide receiver and cornerback, the choice was clear.
“I didn’t see any better possible choice. Why not North Carolina?” Johnson said bluntly, before diving deeper into what pulled him away from the SEC and toward the ACC.
Johnson praised the direction of the program under Belichick, emphasizing the legendary coach’s pro-style approach and developmental mindset.
“I like the way they plan to come in and develop players and the way Coach [Bill] Belichick brought his NFL system to college. And, I like the coaching experience,” Johnson said.
Although Johnson has the versatility to play on either side of the ball, North Carolina envisions him making an impact on defense.
During his visit, the coaching staff gave him a glimpse into how they plan to use him – and that vision left a lasting impression.
“I just got to see more of what they plan to use me for [and] what they do on the inside, like when they install stuff – just really the way they plan and what they think about developing me as a player and as a man,” Johnson said.
Johnson is the second-highest rated recruit in UNC’s 2025 class, trailing only Trashawn Ruffin – a former Texas A&M commit and Belichick’s biggest recruiting victory to date.
Ruffin flipped to the Tar Heels on St. Patrick’s Day, giving the staff its highest-rated defensive lineman in recent memory.
While the Belichick era in Chapel Hill has seen some mixed recruiting results – including the decommitment of four-star QB Zaid Lott and losing out on in-state twins Aidan and Andrew Harris – Johnson’s commitment is a significant step in solidifying the program’s national footprint.
Johnson received nearly 20 scholarship offers, with SEC schools like Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Arkansas all making pushes.
But his decision to join the ACC and play under Belichick signals growing confidence in what North Carolina is building.
With Johnson on board, the Tar Heels’ 2025 class continues to rise – and the former Patriots head coach appears to be leaving his mark on the recruiting trail just as much as he did on NFL sidelines.
What are your thoughts on Belichick beating out traditional SEC powers in the battle for Johnson?
Should SEC programs be worried that Belichick and his NFL mindset will continue to win over top recruits???
