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
Video: IC Podcast - UNC's 2026 Football Schedule Tougher, But Provides OpportunitiesGreg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the 2026 UNC Football schedule released Monday, the daunting test beginning with TCU in Ireland, two...
Wed Jan 28, 2026Sources: Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer
Eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer. In voting this month, Belichick fell short of the 40 out of...
Tue Jan 27, 2026
Chansky’s Notebook: Sophomore Slippage
The strength of schedule has not come out, but the 2026 UNC Football schedule is certain to be in the top 20. The opening game...
Tue Jan 27, 2026
Video: Scouting UNC Football's Transfer Portal Class - Washington, Thurman, Jackson, McRoy, Willie
Jason Staples and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina look at tight ends Jordan Washington and Jelani Thurman, running back Kaleb Jackson, offensive lineman Shaq McRoy,...
Tue Jan 27, 2026