Bill Belichick & North Carolina Football Strikes Gold

Lavon Johnson commits to North Carolina one day after visiting Texas.

After securing a few early commitments from the spring college football transfer portal, North Carolina is continuing to make moves. This time, Bill Belichick has brought in former Maryland defensive lineman Lavon Johnson to Chapel Hill.

Johnson, a former three-star recruit, has committed to North Carolina from the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. He chose Belichick and the Tar Heels just one day after visiting Texas, as noted by Longhorns football reporter Anwar Richardson.

Having played two seasons at Maryland, Johnson will have up to three years of eligibility remaining. During his time with the Terrapins, he recorded 19 tackles and one sack over nine games.

While his college career hasn’t fully unfolded yet, Johnson is set to provide additional depth to North Carolina’s defensive line. The Tar Heels recently lost their 2024 sacks leader, Beau Atkinson, who entered the spring transfer portal on Thursday. Belichick will also need to fill the gaps left by former starters Kaimon Rucker, Kevin Hester Jr., Desmond Evans, and Jahvaree Ritzie, all of whom will graduate after finishing their eligibility.

North Carolina’s college football transfer portal activity

Acquiring Johnson is the latest addition to North Carolina’s active pursuit in the college football transfer portal. During the spring window alone, the Tar Heels welcomed former South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez and the uncertain freshman Adrian Wilson. However, they also lost quarterback Ryan Browne and Atkinson to the same portal.

Lopez, Wilson, and Johnson have joined an already impressive incoming transfer class for North Carolina. Belichick previously secured commitments from Mikai Gbayor, Jason Robinson Jr., Thaddeus Dixon, and others during the winter transfer portal cycle.

With all these roster changes, it’s clear that Belichick’s first team at North Carolina is still a work in progress. After finishing 6-7 in 2024, the expectations for the upcoming season are already set high, despite the ongoing adjustments in personnel.