The University of North Carolina's new general manager Michael Lombardi met with the media Tuesday for the first time since assuming the position.
Lombardi spoke for about 30 minutes to give an update on the scope of UNC football and its recruiting efforts.
Lombardi, a longtime confidant of new head coach Bill Belichick, echoed the legendary coach's attitude that the Tar Heels program will model an NFL franchise.
Michael Lombardi on UNC's pro-style approach
"Everything we do here is predicated on building a pro team. We consider ourselves the 33rd team," Lombardi said. "Because everybody involved with our program has had some aspect of pro football."
He also spoke about the challenges of recruiting and evaluating players in college as opposed to the NFL.
Lombardi speaks on the challenges of recruiting in college vs the NFL
"When you work as the general manager in the NFL, you're dealing with one draft class, you're dealing with one free-agent class, and you can prepare for that," Lombardi said. "Now, you're dealing with the '26 class, the '27 class, the '28 class, so there's a lot more names to deal with. So, there's more volume than it would be in pro football but the job is very similar."
He said it was all about predicting a player's talent and their character and then developing that potential.
Lombardi said the Tar Heels would be built "inside out."
"Teams that can control the offensive and defensive lines win games," he added.
Spring ball for UNC is right around the corner as the Tar Heels prepare to kick off the new season in September.
UNC's Lombardi on finding players with the will to be better
Lombardi also added that efforts would be made to place more emphasis on honoring UNC football greats from the past.
"There's a lot of pride in this program and there is a lot of pride in this university, and I think our job is to bring it out."
Lombardi on a friendly, welcoming community in Chapel Hill