Bill Belichick lands official visit from top running back in transfer portal hours after taking North Carolina job
One of the most explosive running backs in the nation wasted little time in making Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels a priority. Marshall's AJ Turner will be visiting Minnesota and North Carolina this weekend. The Tar Heels will be losing Omarion Hampton to the 2025 NFL Draft this offseason, so the speedy Turner figures […]
One of the most explosive running backs in the nation wasted little time in making Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels a priority. Marshall's AJ Turner will be visiting Minnesota and North Carolina this weekend.
The Tar Heels will be losing Omarion Hampton to the 2025 NFL Draft this offseason, so the speedy Turner figures to be a quality option in tandem with the slew of transfers Belichick figures to bring in. Considering this was announced within hours of Belichick's arrival, it's clear what the former Patriots head coach wants to build at Chapel Hill.
Averaging 8.3 yards per carry and totaling 864 yards in 2024, the fourth-year tailback can be the lightning in what figures to be a run-heavy approach.
Our staff is split on how Belichick will fare at North Carolina, but I'm more optimistic than the naysayers. Consider the success of Deion Sanders, then bring into factor Belichick's own coaching ability, his cache to bring in a great staff, and North Carolina's NIL potential and recruiting ties, and there's so much to be positive about.
Why Bill Belichick’s next chapter at UNC could be wildly successful or crash and burn
The opinions are divisive.
Will that result in a national title? Probably not, as Belichick has a small window to win as a 72-year-old man. But getting big-time transfer visits is a good start and a sign that players are open to learning from him.
2024 was a breakout season for Turner. Until this year, he had only 23 carries for 120 yards. Now, one of the quickest and most-underrated stars in the nation is hunting for a new home.
After seeing how Belichick built powerful and efficient running games throughout his entire career, Turner would be wise to consider the move.
