The recruiting hits keep stacking up for the Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
After losing a few top recruits in the 2026 class following a rough two-win start to the season, another one slipped away on Friday.
Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward's three-star offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm tells Rivals he has flipped his commitment from North Carolina to Ohio State. The Buckeyes legacy recruit cited a difference in the overall relationship as the main factor.
”Development, culture, brotherhood,” Wilhelm said about his decision.
Ohio State currently ranks No. 8 nationally in 2026, according to Rivals. Out of the 21 players committed to the Buckeyes, half are rated four-star or better, including NFL legacies Chris Henry Jr. And Jay Timmons.
"The opportunity to play Ohio Stadium, and compete in the Big Ten was something that was always in the back of my mind," Wilhelm added.
As for Belichick, the 73-year-old and his staff will have a lot of ground to make up. They're currently 15th in the nation in 2026's recruiting class with 36 incoming players. However, that's expected to fluctuate with silly season on the horizon.
The Tar Heels won't leave the state of North Carolina in the final three games. One strong factor to a late-season push and needing to win out for a postseason bid. However, they'll have to get through Wake Forest, Duke, and NC State.
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