Corey Sadler Jr., who goes by C.J. Sadler, announced his recruiting decision by committing to North Carolina. He's a WR/DB for Detroit Cass Tech.
C.J. Sadler is taking his talents to North Carolina, not Michigan football.
Sadler, ranked the No. 1 Michigan high school football recruit and who helped Detroit Cass Tech win the Division 1 state title in 2024, announced his verbal commitment Friday, Aug. 15, to first-year UNC coach Bill Belichick at the Detroit Riverside Marina.
Sadler, a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner, announced his commitment two weeks ahead of Cass Tech's season-opening game against Toledo Central Catholic on Aug. 29 at Wayne State.
He said Friday he made his recruiting decisions based on "realness and honesty and development."
Sadler, full name Corey Sadler Jr., committed to the Tar Heels over a final four of Michigan, Colorado and Maryland.
"(Belichick) is one of the greatest coaches in the world," Sadler said on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube livestream of his annoucement, while stating he will play both sides of the ball. "Coach Tom Brady got six rings (under Belichick). It's not really about that. I chat with coach Belichick a lot, I sit in a room just me and him, we just talking.
"I'm just ready cause I know this the next step of my life. I got a lot of people counting on me I'm gonna make sure I come through."
Lions WR Jameson Williams is here for C.J Sadler’s commitment pic.twitter.com/CzXjSpughV
— Jared Ramsey (@jared_ramsey22) August 15, 2025
Sadler, rated as a four-star athlete, is the No. 118th overall recruit in the 2026 class on the 247Sports composite rankings. He's listed as 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds.
"Michigan that's home," Sadler said when asked Friday, just before his annoucement, what he liked about the Wolverines. "Can't really say too much bad about Michigan cause you know that's home. I didn't take an (official visit), I've been there so many times, I didn't really think I needed to take an OV. Coach (Sherrone) Moore stepped up when coach Jim Harbaugh left. They're going through some things right now but they're still home."
This summer, the Free Press ranked Sadler as the No. 1 pass catcher in the state for the 2025 season, and the No. 9 defensive player.
Sadler was one of the primary driving forces behind Cass Tech's 2024 title. As an unquestioned vocal leader in all three phases, he keyed the Technicians' 10-game winning streak to close the season with the school's first championship trophy since 2016.
He is a dynamic athlete who shows it in his route running, run after catch and contested catch ability.
On offense, he finished as a 1,000-yard receiver with 14 receiving touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns in 2024, which included snaps as a run-first quarterback while Donald Tabron II was out with an injury.
On defense, Sadler formed a lockdown secondary featuring now-graduated safety Alex Graham, who is enrolled at USC, and finished with four interceptions.
Sadler also had multiple touchdown returns as a kickoff and punt returner.
In July, Sadler said he planned on playing both offense and defense in college, and said all four of his finalists presented that as an option.
He announced his commitment ahead of the 2025 Michigan high school football season to eliminate any distractions as he tries to lead Cass Tech to a second straight state title and a fourth straight city championship. Sadler said he plans to enroll in college early for the spring semester.
He can make his pledge official during the official national signing period from Dec. 3-5.
Sadler is the first player from Michigan to commit to North Carolina under Belichick.
"The system," Sadler told the Free Press in July, on why he was interested in UNC. "They've got their pro-style system. Especially with coach Belichick. He's just coming in to UNC. I went down there and just saw how the way it was moving."
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: CJ Sadler recruiting: Cass Tech star commits to UNC over Michigan
Category: General Sports
