Bill Belichick figures to be a force on the recruiting trail for North Carolina. With Nick Saban retired, no coach in the country can stack up to Belichick's pedigree. He's a six-time Super Bowl champion, and while the transition to the college game may not be seamless, it's not likely to be due to a lack of talent accumulation.
Things have been quiet for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama in the Transfer Portal for the spring window. That's certainly not a bad thing. While the Crimson Tide hasn't added any talent, it hasn't lost any either. That's a welcome sight following last year.
DeBoer seems comfortable with where his roster is, for the most part. Alabama has had no interest in getting involved in any NIL bidding wars for prospects this spring. DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan aren't in the market for starters at any position. If Alabama is going to add talent, it's going to be on the margins. They would like to add some depth at a couple of positions, but not at the expense of anyone currently on the roster.
One of the main positions of need is at tight end. The Crimson Tide finished spring practice with only one healthy scholarship player at the position, with injuries knocking out Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis Jr., and Marshall Pritchett. Alabama will get reinforcements this summer from touted freshman Kaleb Edwards, but it's clear another body is needed for the room.
DeBoer and company have zeroed in on Troy transfer TE Brody Dalton in the Transfer Portal, but competition for his services has emerged in the form of Belichick and North Carolina.
Dalton planning visits to both Alabama and North Carolina this week
According to Matt Zenitz, Dalton has set up visits this week with both the Crimson Tide and the Tar Heels:
With the Crimson Tide getting the first visit, you can expect DeBoer and the staff to push for a commitment and a cancellation of his visit to North Carolina. If he leaves Tuscaloosa without committing, it might be tough to keep him in-state.
Belichick will pitch his history of developing tight ends such as Rob Gronkowski, and the Tar Heels might have a bigger role to offer.
At Alabama, Dalton figures to be more of an in-line blocking tight end rather than a pass catcher. The Crimson Tide is looking for someone to take up that Robbie Ouzts role from last year and Dalton is the top candidate.