Bill Belichick and the North Carolina football program have once again made a splash in the transfer portal.
The latest addition comes from the Big Ten, as former Penn State defensive lineman Smith Vilbert has committed to finishing his collegiate career with the Tar Heels.
Vilbert entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer about a month ago, and speculation about his move to North Carolina had been growing in recent days—especially after his visit to Chapel Hill on Monday.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Vilbert was originally part of Penn State’s 2019 recruiting class. He redshirted as a freshman, received an additional year of eligibility due to the NCAA’s COVID waiver in 2020, and was forced to take a medical redshirt in 2023 after an injury sidelined him. These factors have allowed him to remain eligible for the 2025 college football season.
Throughout his career, Vilbert has logged 580 defensive snaps. This past season, he played in all 16 games for the Nittany Lions, contributing 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles as Penn State made a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
A product of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, Vilbert initially focused on basketball before emerging as a dominant force on the defensive line under head coach Augie Hoffmann. His standout performances earned him a high three-star rating and a scholarship offer from Penn State.
With North Carolina’s defensive line undergoing major changes following key departures from last year’s roster, Belichick and the Tar Heels hope Vilbert can stay healthy and make an impact. A strong season could put him on the radar of NFL teams searching for pass rushers in next year’s draft.
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