Penn State edge rusher Smith Vilbert announced his commitment to North Carolina on Wednesday evening, giving new head coach Bill Belichick an early transfer portal addition before the spring window officially opens April 16.
Vilbert, a sixth-year senior, becomes one of the top-rated players to join the Tar Heels this offseason.
The defensive lineman originally committed to Penn State in 2019 but has struggled with injuries throughout his collegiate career. He’s appeared in 35 games, with only two seasons playing in double-digit contests—12 in 2021 and 16 last season.
2023 marked Vilbert’s comeback year at Penn State, where he recorded 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and two forced fumbles.
While his statistics aren’t overwhelming, he brings experience and depth to a North Carolina defense that has been the program’s weakness in recent years.
Vilbert was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 667 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class. He was the No. 61 player at his position and the No. 14 prospect from New Jersey. Despite these rankings, he earned a scholarship at Penn State and carved out a role in their defensive rotation.
Defensive Rebuild Underway
Rebuilding the defense will be one of Belichick’s biggest challenges at UNC, a task he’s undertaking alongside his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick.
The Tar Heels ranked 89th in scoring defense last season, allowing 28.1 points per game.
They also finished outside the top 75 in total defense, surrendering 375.8 yards per game.
These numbers highlight the significant work facing the Belichicks, making veteran additions like Vilbert crucial to their plans.
Vilbert joins 18 other transfers set to join the 2024 Tar Heels. Since arriving in mid-December, Belichick has worked to reshape the roster through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal.
North Carolina currently ranks 19th in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings.
While UNC has already made moves to strengthen its defensive front, the work isn’t done. With the portal officially reopening next month, this could be just the beginning of Belichick’s efforts to bring in more talent and reshape the roster to fit his vision.
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