McDonogh’s All-Metro first-team linebacker and edge rusher Kamden Laudenslager was already excited to play his next football at North Carolina. But when he learned that legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick was taking over the Tar Heels, the senior captain was even more ecstatic.

Coming off a fine senior year at McDonogh — Laudenslager finished with a team-high 101 tackles with three sacks and an interception for the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference runner-up Eagles — he’s eager to learn from an all-time great coach. Laudenslager, a Pennsylvania native who came to McDonogh as a freshman, recently spoke with The Baltimore Sun about his football career and its next stage at North Carolina:

Q: What was your first thought when you learned Coach Belichick would be your college coach?

A: I couldn’t even believe it was true because of how legendary of a coach he is. I was really nervous after [former UNC coach] Mack Brown got fired who they were going to bring in. I was a big fan of Mack Brown and he was one of the big reasons I decided to go there. But it couldn’t have worked out any better and they couldn’t have had a better hire, in my opinion. I’m real happy about it.

How do you feel about getting the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest coaches of all time?

I just feel extremely lucky because I’m in a great situation. He’s coached so many great guys and has probably coached four times the amount of time I’ve been alive. I just want to go there and learn as much as I can from him and maximize my potential.

Have you thought about the first time you’re going to speak with Coach Belichick and meet him?

Later this week, I’m going to be getting on the phone with him and I’m hoping to get down there for a basketball game to see a game and maybe meet him as well.

How do you think you’ll feel first meeting him?

It honestly still doesn’t feel real that he’s my coach — it’s just unbelievable how fortunate I am. I feel like I have a little of every emotion. I’m nervous, excited — just about everything.

What’s your goal in your first year at North Carolina?

My goal is to bulk up, go in and play wherever they tell me … I want to be out there on all the special team reps — kickoff, punts. I want to go out there and prove I can earn my spot on the field by performing on special teams and show them I’m a hard-working player with a good motor. I just want to go out there and earn my spot.

What have you learned new about Coach Belichick after you learned the news?

Nothing really too new. Just that this will be his first time as head coach in college and his dad was [a] Navy coach, which is pretty cool.

How has your successful career at McDonogh helped prepare you to play at the next level?

Coach Hakeem Sule reached out to me in eighth grade about coming to check out McDonogh and we absolutely loved it. I put my faith in coach Sule, started boarding there and everything worked out perfectly. Coach Sule helped me get recruited by every [school] I wanted to look at, so I had all the coaches in front of me. The constant other talent in the building with me gave me the motivation to work. The kids in my grade and seeing the kids above me who already had offers and stuff that I wanted at the time to get the opportunity to play at the next level really helped me. Their work ethic, they showed me what I needed to do to get to the next level.

What do you love most about playing the edge position?

My favorite part of the edge position is rushing the quarterback and sacking the quarterback, without a doubt. I love lining up on third-and-long and just knowing I’m pass rushing and getting after the quarterback.

Who do you model your game after?

I love Micah Parsons, he’s the one I probably look up to most. Just the way he uses his speed and power and how he can rush all around. I like Matt Judon as well for how tough he plays. But mostly Parsons is my favorite because I was born in the Central Pennsylvania area and that’s where he was born as well.

What’s your favorite part of playing football?

Just being with my friends every day. To get the chance to go out on the field and have that brotherhood and companionship with my teammates next to me. I just know we all have each others’ backs. Also, just hitting people — love that feeling!

Have a news tip? Contact Glenn Graham at ggraham@baltsun.com, 410-332-6636 and x.com/GlennGrahamSun.