How Players Emerge in the Bill Belichick Era

The North Carolina Tar Heels football team are going up to Syracuse to take on quarterback Richie Collins and head coach Fran Brown Jr. (now in his second season with the program). UNC has dropped its last two outings against the California Bears and Virginia Cavaliers — both contests being decided on the last play of the game.

A goal-line fumble by wide receiver Nathan Leacock on the West Coast and running back Benjamin Hall being inches, literally inches short of crossing the end zone on a two-point conversion play. The odds have not been on the Tar Heels' side, but one thing about this season is its ability to find young players emerging on to the gridiron.

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick leaves the field after losing to Virginia in overtime at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Belichick and the staff have seen running back Demon June, wide receivers Madrid Tucker, Shanard Clower and Nathan Leacock get playing time despite being newcomers to the collegiate game.

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

“Well, like a lot of players who are new to the program, and either got here, particularly in June, in that June-July area, that were a little bit behind other players in terms of knowledge, experience, playing experience at this level and so forth. But as we practiced more and competed more, the gap has narrowed," said Belichick on Tuesday.

"And some of those players have showed that they are ready to compete on this level and have earned more playing time and so at the receiver position Madrid's (Tucker) done that, Shanard’s (Clower) done it. Nate’s (Leacock) done it. So, you know, (Demon June) Juju did it as a running back."

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Demon June (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

"So we have guys who are playing more than they did earlier in the year, because they have shown that in our opinion, they've shown in competitive situations that they're ready for those opportunities, and what they do with them when they get them, that's again, obviously up to them."

"But in some cases, those guys have shown that they can do it competitively in games after they've earned the opportunity to do it, and then they'll get more opportunities. And other cases where we thought players are ready, and they weren't as ready as they maybe they need to be."

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers safety Antonio Clary (0) intercepts a pass intended for North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Madrid Tucker (86) as cornerback Emmanuel Karnley (19) helps defend near the end of the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

"So they have to go back and have some more work to do before they're really ready to play and take on a bigger role. So, you know, we'll see how it goes. Sometimes it's one good performance, and then one not so good one. Sometimes one not so good one, and then one good and so, you know, time will tell on that."

"But we just do the best we can to give the players who earn the opportunity — we do our best to give them that. And then it's up to them to perform with that chance.”

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Belichick, in his first year at the college level as a head coach, has given opportunities when he sees fit and it has led to some of the best individual performances this season — regardless of the wins and losses. The Tar Heels are going putting the pieces together with its defense being the biggest factor its improvement over the last couple of games.

The Newcomers Have Been Impactful, but the Defense Is Another Story

Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has gathered the unit and held two Power 4 conference programs — North Carolina's kryptonite — to 41 points total, two weeks in a row. With a 2-5 record, and five games left in the season, UNC is running out of chances to become bowl eligible, but a victory over the Orange on the road on Friday night could give it momentum.

North Carolina has continued to make small incremental improvements toward becoming a better football team, and its evident for everyone one to see on the field. But still not win to show for, nonetheless, as the program has not had such outcome since September 13.

Time is ticking for UNC to continue to show all of what it could have been at the start of the season, but the past is in the past as the team struts forward into the back-end of the year. After Syracuse, North Carolina will face Stanford (home), Wake Forest (road), Duke (home) and NC State (road).

Please follow us on X when you click right here!

Please make sure you follow us today on our Facebook page when you click right here!