BROOKLINE – For those that doubted Bill Belichick’s recruiting ability, you may want to reconsider your stance.

Dexter Southfield offensive lineman Anthony ‘U-Haul’ Hall – the top recruit in Massachusetts for the class of 2026 – announced his commitment to the Tar Heels in front of a packed gymnasium at the school around 1:00 on Friday afternoon.

Hall gave an emotional speech where he was brought to tears thanking his family, who then came up and surrounded him as he pushed through. Finally, the big man announced he’d be heading to UNC, picking up the blue Tar Heels hat that was next to the other two schools he had narrowed his decision down to, Rutgers and Tennessee.

Young students in grade school and teammates roared with applause once the decision was made.

Just a few months ago, UNC wasn’t even on Anthony’s radar, but a meeting with Steve Belichick after he offered Hall while he was still at Washington soon set the wheels in motion for a meeting with Bill Belichick.

The rest is history.

“Not at all,” Hall said with a big smile when talking to the media on hand after being asked if he expected this to be how his journey would go. “Back at Washington, I was like, ‘is this really Steve Belichick?’ After that, I asked (head coach) Casey Day ‘is this really Steve?’ From there, ever since then I was very excited.”

So, how did Bill Belichick sell him on being a Tar Heel?

“He’s very good (as a recruiter),” he said. “How he sold me, was when we watched film, we sat down and he was saying all this O-line stuff and I was like ‘damn, this guy knows what he’s talking about.’ From there, it was just, let’s work.”

For Coach Day, big name college coaches walk in and out of the school all the time for recruiting meetings, but even he had to break one rule when Belichick came to campus to meet with him.

“It was something that came on kind of strong here the last couple months or so, but (Anthony) had a relationship with Steve that goes back about a year,” said Day. “It was an interesting (dynamic) with (Bill). I told him I’m not a big take-a-picture-with-the-head-coach type of guy, but I had to break that one. I said I had to break that rule for my mom and show my mom that we were with Coach Belichick.

“Obviously, there’s a different aura when Bill Belichick comes walking into campus. We’ve had a lot of great head coaches walk though those doors. Obviously, growing up in this area, it’s a little bit different for everybody involved=, including the adults. He was great. Came in with one of the recruiting staff members and just kind of laid out what they’re going to be doing in their program. Which, is basically trying to recreate what he’s done in the NFL from top to bottom.”

Hall – like many kids who have the opportunity to be heavily recruited by major programs – loved the process, but is also thrilled it’s now over so he can now focus on one final year with the Dexter Southfield program.

“I’m very excited, it’s all very overwhelming,” Hall said. “But, now it’s a relief and it’s back to work time…(focusing on 2026) was a very big part. Now, I can get back to work and school, be more like, ahead of my stuff. Film room wise. I can go back to being a leader and just being the guy I was.”

What kind of person and player is Belichick bringing to UNC?

“He’s earned this moment,” said Day. “All the cliches about how hard he’s worked in the weight room, on the football field…his work in the classroom is even more impressive, if not equally impressive. I’m more than happy for him. He’s obviously going to be in good hands with somebody we know a lot about up here.

“They’re getting a kid with tremendous, elite athletic potential and all that stuff. That stuff speaks for itself. But, what you don’t know unless you’re around the kid, even if you’re only around him for a couple minutes, you get a feel for what type of kid he is. He’s am incredible human being with outstanding character. He works in our after school program with our lower school. He works at summer camp. He’s front and center in our student section at every sporting event. They’re going to be getting a kid off the field and in the locker room is what every coach and every parent would want their kids to be and be around and be with. I can’t speak highly enough of the kid. He’s an incredible member of our community.”

Prior to signing off the live feed that was hosted by 247 Sports, Hall just had one final message before the photos and hugs carried on well into the late afternoon.

“Beat Duke,” he said with a sly grin.