UNC Loses Top 4-Star Recruit Marquis Bryant

Bill Belichick's Tar Heels take a hit as top cornerback decommits

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:40pm

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Marquis Bryant, a 4-star cornerback and the highest-ranked recruit in North Carolina's 2027 class, has decommitted from the Tar Heels. The No. 188 player nationally per Rivals had been committed to UNC and head coach Bill Belichick, but has now reopened his recruitment with several SEC and ACC schools pursuing him, including Tennessee.

Why it matters

Bryant's decommitment is a significant blow to Belichick and the Tar Heels' 2027 recruiting class, which was ranked 28th nationally before this news. Without their top commit, UNC is likely to drop at least 10 spots in the national recruiting rankings.

The details

Bryant, a highly touted cornerback prospect, had been committed to UNC since last summer. But on Wednesday, he announced that his recruitment is '100% open' and that he is considering offers from schools like Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. The Volunteers have been a school to watch, as Bryant has made multiple visits to Knoxville and the coaching staff has expressed strong interest.

  • Bryant decommitted from UNC on April 1, 2026.

The players

Marquis Bryant

A 4-star cornerback and the No. 188 overall recruit in the 2027 class, Bryant was the highest-ranked commit in UNC's recruiting class before decommitting.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the UNC football team, Belichick was set to add Bryant to his 2027 recruiting class before the player's decommitment.

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What they’re saying

“My recruitment is 100% open.”

— Marquis Bryant

“(Tennessee's) staff showed me around and where I would fit into the new defense. The coaches talked to me a lot and really expressed that they like my football IQ. They told me to come in and compete.”

— Marquis Bryant

What’s next

Bryant will now take visits to several schools, including Tennessee, as he weighs his options in the 2027 recruiting class. UNC will need to quickly find a replacement for Bryant in their defensive backfield.

The takeaway

This decommitment is a significant setback for Bill Belichick and the UNC football program, as they lose their top-ranked recruit in the 2027 class. It highlights the challenges of recruiting top talent, even for a high-profile coach like Belichick, and the importance of securing commitments from blue-chip prospects.