Bill Belichick now in pole position to steal 4-star in-state ATH away from Tennessee

Is it possible that Bill Belichick and North Carolina are going to get some revenge on the Tennessee football team this recruiting cycle? Once Belichick took over for the Heels, there was buzz that 5-star quarterback Faizon Brandon might want to stay home to play for him.

Brandon said thanks, but no thanks. Now, though, Billy B is looking to land a 4-star talent from Tennessee. That'd be Joel Wyatt, who has been high on the Vols for a long time now and he was previously down to Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The expectation was that he'd pick UT.

However, Belichick has since upped his recruiting efforts and given Wyatt a lot to think about. So much in fact, the latest reports have stated that Belichick is making a strong impression on Wyatt and that UNC could now be the team to beat in his recruitment:

UNC is in a prime spot to land 4-star ATH Joel Wyatt over Tennessee

Obviously, it'd be a huge bummer for head man Josh Heupel if things go down this way. Wyatt is ranked as one of the top athletes in the country per 247Sports, but Tennessee likes him on defense at safety. Originally, Wyatt was locked in to make his decision on July 6.

Earlier this month, he indeed was down to Tennessee and Vandy, but multiple teams kept charging after him, including North Carolina. There's no new set date for Wyatt's decision to come in, but it could come this summer before his senior season gets here.

Throughout his recruitment, the 6-4, 195-pounder has picked up nearly 30 offers. He took two official visits this spring, with those two trips being to Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Wyatt is an elite prospect and the kind of playmaker Heupel and Co. would love to keep in state.

As things stand, it's totally up in the air who he'll commit to and when he'll be doing so. Belichick is the GOAT when it comes to coaching, which could end up playing a role in where Wyatt decides to play his college ball. Tennessee fans out there are hoping the youngster will remember why he was so interested in the Vols in the first place. Will he call Knoxville home in 2026? A few weeks back, that was looking likely, but now things have certainly changed.