Batten: Talent in the Trenches
Posted Oct 6, 2011
Since the late 1980s, the Tar Heels have been able to attract a steady stream of defensive linemen to Chapel Hill. A total of 25 defensive ends or tackles who played for UNC since 1988 have been selected in the NFL draft, including seven over the past five years. Many in that group, like Greg Ellis, Vonnie Holliday, Ryan Sims, Russell Davis and, of course, Julius Peppers, have gone on to lengthy, successful professional careers.
(Tar Heel Illustrated)
Related: Football, Tar Heels in the NFL
Demon June on Efficiency, Picking Up Teammates, and MoreUNC suffered a narrow 31-30 overtime loss to Syracuse on Saturday night, but running back Demon June continued an efficient season with another rushing touchdown...
Tue Oct 27, 2026How North Carolina Is Approaching Its Limited Wide Receiver Depth Chart
In North Carolina’s seventh football game last season, a 17-16 overtime loss to No. 16 Virginia, five wide receivers saw the field for the Tar...
Tue Oct 27, 2026
Avoiding Penalties A Welcome Change For Tar Heels
Bill Belichick is a big believer in the importance of "hidden yards" to a team's success; the seemingly small things that add up over the...
Tue Oct 27, 2026
Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - Breaking and Entering
There isn’t a North Carolina football fan out there who hasn’t imagined themselves making the game-winning play for the Tar Heels. That includes District Attorney...
Tue Oct 27, 2026