Bill Belichick finally landed the Miami blue-chip his staff had been chasing — and for the Hurricanes, this one stings on several fronts. Miami Norland (Fla.) four-star cornerback Kenton Dopson flipped his commitment from Miami to North Carolina on Wednesday night, announcing the move on X and citing the chance to be coached by Belichick and UNC's immediate need at the position. The local standout had been committed to the Hurricanes since March before reclassifying from 2027 to 2026 earlier this month.
First I want to say that i have nothing but love & respect for the coaches, staff & fans of The []_[] 🧡💚
— Kenton Dopson III (@5starr_tre) October 15, 2025
However After plenty thought, 🙏🏿 & long conversations with my father, I’ve decided it's in my best interest to #AnswerTheCall at @UNCFootball@KentonDopsonSr pic.twitter.com/wNwrVsGGkB
The loss is painful first for what Dopson is: a priority, in-state defensive back with plenty of production and good size. Listed at 6-1, 185, Dopson posted 16 tackles, three interceptions and 16 pass breakups last season. He's billed as a national four-star in the 2026 cycle, with industry ratings placing him among the top corners in the class.
It also hurts because of who won the battle. Belichick's first college season has been rocky on the field, but UNC's recruiting has punched above its record. Realistically, the flip doesn't make sense at face value. A hometown recruit flips from the No. 2 team in the nation to one of the worst teams in the same conference? It does appear as though being coached by Belichick and having a path to play (despite UNC having the same amount of CB commits as Miami) won out.
The timing adds another layer with his reclassification. By moving up a class, Dopson is set to graduate this winter and hit a college a year earlier. Based off of all the reports, Miami communicated with him on this and they said they were OK with his decision to move up the 2026 class. It doesn't appear to be a reason the relationship didn't turn into a long-term marriage.
The flip should not come as a surprise to anyone. This had been building for weeks. In early September, national reporter Steve Wiltfong logged a "flip" forecast toward North Carolina, and Dopson followed with an official visit to Chapel Hill. He returned impressed and kept UNC in the thick of it while Miami worked to keep him aboard. Despite the success on the field, Dopson was simply looking for something Miami could not/did not want to provide.