Sports
With just a month to go before the start of a new chapter in Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Tar Heels and their headline-grabbing new head coach, Bill Belichick, have pulled off a major recruiting win.
Four-star defensive tackle Viliami Moala, who previously committed to both USC and Oregon, has now given his verbal pledge to UNC, signaling growing confidence in Belichick‘s vision for the program.
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Moala‘s decision adds to a growing trend of highly touted recruits changing direction and buying into what Belichick is building at North Carolina.
Once a prized commit for the reigning Big Ten champion Oregon Ducks, Moala officially decommitted on July 7. Before that, he had also briefly committed to USC in 2024 before backing away from that pledge in October.
His defection marks the third high-profile decommitment for Oregon’s 2026 class. He joins quarterback Jonas Williams, who flipped to USC, and elite edge rusher Richard Wesley, who chose Texas instead. For UNC, however, this is a massive step forward-and possibly a sign of more to come.
Moala’s fit and Belichick’s long-term vision
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 340 pounds, Moala‘s physical profile evokes comparisons to a player that Belichick knows better than anyone: former Patriots All-Pro Vince Wilfork.
Belichick used Wilfork as the cornerstone of his 3-4 defense during multiple Super Bowl-winning campaigns in New England. Moala may not be at Wilfork’s level yet, but he certainly projects as a similar type of space-eating, disruptive presence on the interior.
“I had a great talk with Coach [Bill] Belichick, and he had told me he had a great plan in what he was building there at UNC. And I want to be a part of that,” Moala said in an interview with On3’s Don Callahan. “I believe that UNC can be the best with the plan that they have.”
Callahan further noted that Moala “fills an important, rarefied role on UNC’s roster,” addressing a key hole in the team’s defensive front.
According to Callahan, “Having an immovable-but-nimble nose tackle is important to all base 3-4 schemes, which Bill Belichick has famously favored. And, Wilfork was the best, and most gregarious, of Belichick’s Pats tenure.”
The commitment of Moala reflects a larger defensive revamp led by Belichick. Throughout July, the Tar Heels have made serious gains on that side of the ball.
Calvin Thomas, a highly regarded linebacker, chose UNC over powerhouses like Texas and Michigan on July 12. Just a few days later, on July 16, the Tar Heels flipped defensive back Jakob Weatherspoon from Ohio State, another feather in Belichick’s recruiting cap.
Belichick, known more for his tactical acumen than for recruiting buzz, seems to be quickly learning how to play the college game.
By securing Moala, he not only adds a key piece to the trenches but also makes a statement to the rest of the college football world: North Carolina is no longer a program to overlook.
With early recruiting wins piling up, Belichick’s blueprint for success is already taking shape in Chapel Hill. And if his track record is any indication, this is likely just the beginning.
This news was originally published on this post .
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