'25 QB Newkirk commits to Belichick's Tar Heels

Class of 2025 quarterback Au'Tori Newkirk has committed to North Carolina, he told ESPN on Tuesday, continuing coach Bill Belichick's offseason rebuild of the Tar Heels' quarterback room.

Newkirk, a 6-foot-3 pocket passer from Norfolk, Virginia, is unranked in ESPN's prospect rankings for the 2025 cycle.

His commitment marks North Carolina's third addition at the quarterback position since Belichick was named head coach on Dec.

11, several weeks after the school parted ways with Mack Brown -- the winningest coach in program history -- in late November.

Newkirk follows ESPN 300 signee Bryce Baker and Purdue transfer quarterback Ryan Browne as the latest newcomer to the Tar Heels' 2025 quarterback room.

The program prepares to enter Belichick's debut season with an almost entirely overhauled depth chart at the position.

North Carolina has seen three quarterbacks enter the transfer portal since the end of the regular season.

Veteran passer Jacolby Criswell, who entered the portal this month after emerging as the Tar Heels' primary starter in 2024, represents the most significant of those departures.

Former North Carolina quarterbacks Conner Harrell (Charlotte) and Michael Merdinger (Liberty) have already found new schools via the portal in 2025.

Editor's Picks 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25: Where do Ohio State and Notre Dame rank? 9h Mark Schlabach ESPN's 2024 All-America team: The top players at every position 6d Chris Low CFP Insider: What we're hearing about potential changes 5d Heather Dinich Criswell's exit leaves a question mark hanging over the Tar Heels starting quarterback situation in 2025, which could prompt Belichick to explore options in the spring portal.

As things stands, Baker -- ESPN's No.

193 in the 2025 class -- and Browne represent at least two passers who could compete for the starting role.

Sixth-year senior Max Johnson, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in North Carolina's 2024 season opener, also remains on the roster.

Alongside that group, Newkirk joins the Tar Heels after leading Maury (Virginia) High School to back-to-back undefeated seasons and a pair of state championships in 2023 and 2024.

Newkirk compiled a 30-0 record across his final two high school campaigns, totaling 8,838 passing yards and 114 touchdowns over that span.

Newkirk said Howard, Morgan State and Elon were the programs most involved in his recruitment before North Carolina entered the picture with an offer early this month.

Newkirk followed that initial contact with a visit to the program this past weekend before making his commitment on Tuesday.

"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," he told ESPN.

Newkirk lands as the sixth 2025 prospect to commit or reaffirm his pledge to the Tar Heels since Belichick took over with national signing day approaching on Feb.

5.

Baker is one of three Brown-era commits who have maintained their commitments alongside ESPN 300 defensive end Austin Alexander and three-star running back Demon June.

The Tar Heels have also gained a trio of new 2025 pledges over the last month-plus, headlined by defenders Chinedu Onyeagoro (former SMU signee) and Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala (former Wake Forest signee).

North Carolina also secured a pair of 2026 commitments from cornerbacks Justin Lewis and Marcellous Ryan over the weekend as Belichick and the Tar Heels continue to lay their foundation on the recruiting trail.

"The focus with this new staff is on preparing everything for the next level," Newkirk said.

"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.".

This article has been shared from the original article on espn, here is the link to the original article:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43510318/class-2025-qb-autori-newkirk-commits-north-carolina