Reidsville’s Jariel Cobb Commits to UNC, Ready to Play for Legendary Coach Bill Belichick
REIDSVILLE, NC — In a whirlwind turn of events, Reidsville High School senior running back Jariel Cobb has committed to the University of North Carolina (UNC) football program under the leadership of six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick. Cobb’s journey to becoming a Tar Heel unfolded rapidly after receiving an offer on December 22, making UNC his first and only Power 4 offer.
A Change of Heart
Cobb, originally committed to the Air Force Academy, announced his decommitment shortly after the offer from UNC. The surprise opportunity came during a call from Belichick himself, which left the standout running back both shocked and excited.
“It felt like out of the blue for me,” Cobb said. “I was very surprised, especially with Bill Belichick coming in as the head coach. I didn’t really think it was going to happen, and I’m just very happy.”
After visiting Chapel Hill, Cobb knew he had to seize the chance to play for one of the greatest coaches of all time.
“The main thing is with Belichick. It ain’t nothing like playing for the greatest coach of all time,” he said. “I wanted to take that opportunity. Seeing him in person made me feel good about myself.”
Early Enrollment at UNC
Belichick encouraged Cobb to enroll at UNC as soon as possible. Within two weeks, Cobb graduated early and is set to begin his collegiate journey in January.
“It’s a lot to take in, but I told myself I’m just going to go with the flow,” Cobb said. “I wanted to start early, get some classes out of the way before the fall, and focus on sports to make the most of my time.”
Cobb plans to make an immediate impact on the field, particularly on special teams and as a running back.
“He said special teams, like returning kicks, that’s for me to do,” Cobb said. “Then running the ball too—whoever the best player is going to play at the end of the day, so hopefully that’s me.”
A Stellar High School Career
Cobb was instrumental in leading Reidsville High School to an N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state championship in 2023. Despite breaking his collarbone in the final regular season game of his senior year, which kept him out of the playoffs, his high school career stats are nothing short of remarkable.
Over his career, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound athlete accumulated:
- 3,001 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns
- 306 receiving yards and two touchdowns
- 86 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries as a linebacker
In his senior year alone, Cobb racked up over 1,500 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the state’s top athletes.
The Road Ahead
Cobb signed his official letter of intent during a ceremony in the Reidsville High School cafeteria on Friday, January 3. His story of resilience, hard work, and seizing opportunities exemplifies the determination of an athlete ready to take his talents to the next level.
As Cobb begins this new chapter, the Tar Heels are gaining a talented player and a driven young man eager to make his mark under the guidance of a legendary coach.
Source: highschoolot.com