The North Carolina Tar Heels and new head coach Bill Belichick landed a major commitment on Tuesday from one of the nation’s most promising 2025 quarterback recruits. Au’Tori Newkirk, an unranked but rapidly rising signal-caller out of Norfolk, Virginia, announced his pledge to UNC, providing an instant boost to a quarterback room undergoing a full makeover this offseason.
At 6-foot-3, Newkirk fits the mold of a classic pro-style pocket passer. The Maury High School standout led his squad to back-to-back undefeated state championship campaigns as a sophomore and junior, amassing over 8,800 passing yards and an eye-popping 114 touchdowns during that span. While not yet ranked by major recruiting services, Newkirk’s on-field production and prototypical size have clearly caught the attention of Belichick and the new Tar Heels staff.
Belichick Wasting No Time Reloading the Quarterback Room
Newkirk becomes the third quarterback addition for North Carolina since Belichick’s stunning hire in December, just weeks after the Tar Heels moved on from Mack Brown, the winningest coach in program history. He joins ESPN 300 high school signee Bryce Baker and Purdue transfer Ryan Browne as new faces in a position group that has seen significant turnover.
Three Tar Heel quarterbacks have entered the transfer portal since the end of the 2024 season, most notably veteran starter Jacolby Criswell. His exit, along with the departures of backups Conner Harrell (to Charlotte) and Michael Merdinger (to Liberty) leaves UNC with major questions behind center heading into 2025. As spring practice approaches, Baker, Browne and sixth-year senior Max Johnson, who is returning from injury, appear set to compete for the starting job – with Newkirk now in the mix as well.
Newkirk Dominated the Virginia High School Ranks
Though not a household name on the national recruiting scene, Newkirk absolutely dominated the high school ranks in Virginia over the past two seasons. Consider these staggering numbers:
- 30-0 record as a starting quarterback in 2023 and 2024
- 114 touchdown passes against just 13 interceptions
- 73% completion percentage while averaging over 12 yards per attempt
- Added 12 rushing touchdowns and over 500 yards on the ground
“They were looking for a guy to add depth to their QB room and get the program back to where it should be and start a dynasty.”
-Au’Tori Newkirk on his commitment to UNC
Before the Tar Heels came calling, Newkirk held offers from Howard, Morgan State, and Elon. But the chance to play for a coaching legend like Bill Belichick and restore North Carolina to prominence in the ACC proved too tempting to pass up. He is now the sixth member of the Tar Heels’ 2025 recruiting class, and one of three new additions since Belichick’s hire.
Belichick Aiming to Run UNC Like “The 33rd NFL Team”
For Newkirk, the chance to learn under a coaching staff with deep NFL roots was a major selling point. The Super Bowl-winning head coach is clearly aiming to run his program in Chapel Hill like a pro outfit, a fact not lost on the newest Tar Heel commit:
“The focus with this new staff is on preparing everything for the next level. Everything is being run like it’s the next level. The motto is that we’re going to be the 33rd team in the NFL.”
-Au’Tori Newkirk on playing for Bill Belichick at UNC
Only time will tell if Belichick’s approach will translate to success at the college level. But there’s no denying the instant credibility and buzz his hire has generated for North Carolina on the recruiting trail. Landing a talent like Au’Tori Newkirk is further proof that the Tar Heels will be a fascinating program to watch in the coming years as they aim to reestablish themselves as an ACC contender.
“The focus with this new staff is on preparing everything for the next level. Everything is being run like it’s the next level. The motto is that we’re going to be the 33rd team in the NFL.”
-Au’Tori Newkirk
The addition of Newkirk, alongside other key pickups like Baker and Browne, signals that Belichick is wasting no time putting his stamp on the UNC program. While there are still plenty of questions surrounding the 2025 Tar Heels, their future at the game’s most important position looks considerably brighter with a talent like Au’Tori Newkirk in the fold.
