2026 WR Darrion Kirksey commits to North Carolina

Gulfport (Miss.) Harrison Central wide receiver Darrion Kirksey has committed to Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The ACC program extended an offer to the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder in February and they immediately rose up to the top of his list. Ole Miss, Arkansas, Troy and Murray State were also in the mix, but Kirksey is ready to jump in the boat in Chapel Hill.

“I committed to UNC because I love the program, I wanna play for Bill Belichick,” Kirksey told On3. “It’s a better chance to (get to) the NFL.”

Weather prevented Kirksey from getting on campus for a visit this week, but that’s not stopping him from making his decision. After talking with general manager Michael Lombardi, the pass-catcher is locked in with the Heels.

The chance to play under Belichick is exciting to the Magnolia State product.

“I feel like Belichick is a good coach, I watched him for years, when he’s coaching he’s hard on you and definitely can make you a better person and prepared for the NFL or anything else.”

Kirksey caught nearly 600 yards worth of passes as a junior for Harrison Central last season. He becomes commitment No. 9 for UNC in the 2026 cycle, joining a class that ranks inside the top 40 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings early on.