Rolesville High four-star defensive back Marquis Bryant has decommitted from UNC football after pledging to the Tar Heels and coach Bill Belichick in mid-December.
The Class of 2027 standout initially picked the Heels over finalists Clemson, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Bryant provided an early pillar to North Carolina’s 2027 class but has since changed his mind. He made seven interceptions, 32 tackles and two forced fumbles for a 9-4 Rolesville team. Bryant had 58 tackles, 10 pass breakups in 2024.
👉 This page tracks key moments in Bryant’s recruiting journey, including notable offers, on-field achievements, commitments and signing updates as they become known.
Updated: April 1, 2026
Marquis Bryant Quick Facts
- Position: Safety
- Height / Weight: 5-11, 190
- High School: Rolesville HS
- Hometown: Rolesville, NC
- Class year: 2027
- 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4 stars, No. 9 overall prospect in North Carolina, No. 192 nationally, No. 18 safety nationally (April 2026)
- Current commitment status: Decommitted from North Carolina on April 1, 2026 after pledging to the Tar Heels in December 2025.
I'm staying home 🐏🩵 https://t.co/Ai63ozaidf — Marquis Bryant 4⭐️( 2027) (@QuisBryantt) December 16, 2025
Recruiting News & Nuggets
- Reported roughly 36-38 offers from FBS programs, per Rivals and 247Sports in early April 2026. No clear favorite emerged immediately following his decommitment. “My recruitment is 100 percent open,” Bryant told Rivals. “I want to find the best fit for me, both as a player and academically.”
- Went into his initial commitment day Dec. 16, 2025 with UNC, Clemson, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State and Nebraska listed as his favorites. Rivals reported that Bryant had been to Chapel Hill six times during the recruiting process.
- Despite controversy surrounded UNC coach Bill Belichick during the season, Bryant indicated a strong belief that he was going to be part of a program turnaround in Chapel Hill. “Belichick is building a dynasty at North Carolina,” he told Rivals in 2025. “Chapel Hill will be a portal to the NFL. He has a great plan, a great staff, and they will be about developing players. Coach Belichick is a laid-back guy, but he is all about business. He wants North Carolina to win.”
- Bryant is listed as a safety but believes he is versatile in the defensive backfield. “I’m an all-around defensive back,” Bryant told 247Sports. “I can play high, come down and hit, and I can play man. I really am a hybrid safety and can play free, strong and some nickel.”
- Also took unofficial visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee during the 2025 season, per 247Sports
- Camped at Clemson in summer 2025
- Reported his first D1 offer from Charlotte in March 2024. NC State followed shortly thereafter.
Marquis Bryant Commitment https://t.co/TxgOjZWh3f
— Rolesville Rams Football (@RamsFootballNC) December 16, 2025
Known Offer List
North Carolina schools
- North Carolina
- Duke
- East Carolina
- NC State
- Charlotte
- Campbell
Power 4 Schools
- Auburn
- Clemson
- Ohio State
- Tennessee
- Florida State
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Miami
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Notre Dame
- Ole Miss
- Rutgers
- SMU
- South Carolina
- Syracuse
- Texas A&M
- UCF
- Virginia Tech
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Other
- Coastal Carolina
- Ken State
- Sacramento State
- Troy
- UMass
Player Highlights
- Earned first-team all-conference for Rolesville in both 2024 and 2025
- Intercepted seven passes and finished with 32 tackles in 2025, also forced two fumbles
- Logged 58 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and an interception as a sophomore in 2024
- Named first-team all-state as a safety in 2024 from HighSchoolOT
- Played varsity for Rolesville as a freshman (2023), finishing with 53 tackles, an interception, 10 PBUs and a forced fumble,
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