Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels have added an intriguing defensive piece.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have suddenly been making some impressive progress in the transfer portal, and they struck again over the weekend.
North Carolina has secured a commitment from former Richmond edge rusher Donovan Hoilette, marking the second edge rusher that the Tar Heels have landed in the portal this winter.
UNC previously bagged ex-Penn State pass rusher Jayden Harvey, who barely even saw the field in two years with the Nittany Lions.
Hoilette is definitely more proven.
The incoming fifth-year senior racked up 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Spiders in 2025. He actually faced North Carolina back in September, finishing with three tackles in a defeat.
Hoilette originally began his collegiate career at Richmond in 2021, but did not get the chance to receive significant playing time until this past season. Some of that had to do with the fact that he suffered a season-ending injury in 2024.
The Tar Heels' addition of Hoilette is particularly important considering how many pieces they lost in their front seven this offseason. That included edge rusher Tyler Thompson, who managed seven sacks for UNC in 2025.
Donovan Hoilette attempts to make a tackle against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.North Carolina has acquired 16 players in the transfer portal overall, but it has also lost 27. So while Bill Belichick has certainly brought in some intriguing players this winter, he has also watched a bunch of players depart Chapel Hill, as well.
Belichick has a whole lot to prove heading into his second season.
He went just 4-8 during his debut campaign with the Tar Heels this year, a resume that included a handful of embarrassing blowout losses.
To be fair, Belichick had zero experience on the collegiate level before taking the job at UNC last December, so he definitely deserves a grace period.
The NFL legend is also fielding a top-20 recruiting class for 2026, and he appears to be making some strides toward building North Carolina into an actually appealing destination.
That being said, it's clear that the 73-year-old still has a long way to go.
The Tar Heels still have plenty other needs to wholly address, so we'll see what else Belichick decides to do in the transfer portal in the coming days and weeks.