The North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program’s recent commitment from Cooper McCutchan may signal a big shift in the team’s tight end outlook. On Wednesday, May 7, McCutchan announced his commitment to UNC, a decision that came shortly after a meeting with head coach Bill Belichick.
Cooper McCutchan Commits to North Carolina
McCutchan, a 6’4″, 235-pound tight end from Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, committed to North Carolina on Wednesday morning. He’s the 14th commitment in the Tar Heels’ 2026 class and their first tight end.
The visit proved fruitful for the program. “It was a great visit,” McCutchan told Inside Carolina. “Both coaches talked about the importance of the tight ends and the major role they will have [in UNC’s offense].”
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“[The visit and offer] absolutely impacts my recruiting and my thoughts about North Carolina. I definitely can see myself playing in this system, with these coaches at UNC,” he added.
McCutchan’s choice is especially notable given his other options. He had official visits lined up with Duke (May 30) and Purdue (June 13), and was working on scheduling one with Wisconsin. He also held offers from Texas A&M, Louisville, and Kentucky — but ultimately, UNC’s pitch under Belichick sealed it.
McCutchan brings a versatile skill set to Chapel Hill, N.C., making him a great fit for what UNC wants in a tight end. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and Belichick made that clear during his visit. Belichick’s NFL background with tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Hunter Henry may have tipped the scale.
His commitment is another strong addition to a 2026 class that’s gaining momentum. The group already features four-star cornerback O’Mari Johnson and three-star offensive tackle Anthony Hall. Under Belichick, the Tar Heels are trending up, even if landing top in-state talent has been a challenge.
McCutchan gives UNC a foundational piece at tight end, and his early decision could help draw more talent to Chapel Hill. With Belichick at the helm, the Tar Heels are looking like serious ACC contenders in the years ahead.
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