UNC Football

Greatest former UNC athlete by state (Tennessee): Garrett Reynolds

Offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds’ father played at Tennessee and his uncle, Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, also played in Knoxville in the 1970s and later starred in the NFL. But when Garrett was being recruited, Tennessee offered him only as a preferred walk on. UNC, however, offered him a full ride. He accepted the offer and never had any regrets. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Julius Peppers aids Florence victims with donation

The United Way of Horry County received a $47,000 donation from former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers’ Hurricane Relief Fund. According to a news release from United Way of Horry County, the donation will be distributed to Hurricane Florence disaster victims. The donation will be distributed in forms of $50 Wal-Mart gift cards. (WBTV)

Jim McMahon on Bears’ Mitch Trubisky: ‘If he plays hard and wins, they’ll love him forever’

Bears GM Ryan Pace told Mitch Trubisky to pick a restaurant and make a reservation. Pace wanted his dinner with the then-UNC quarterback in March 2017 to stay under the radar. When Trubisky booked a table at Bin 54, a steakhouse in Chapel Hill, he used an alias: James McMahon. ‘‘The last Super Bowl[-winning] quarterback of the Chicago Bears,’’ Trubisky said. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Julius Peppers to young athletes: ‘Trust yourself’

Follow your own path, former Carolina Panthers football defense end Julius Peppers told 800 student athletes, friends and family. “Always trust yourself, be yourself, and do the things you need to do. Follow your own path,” Peppers said at the Best of 910Preps Awards Banquet. The event honors high school athletes who play in more than 20 sports. (Fayetteville Observer)

North Carolina Football: 2019 Tar Heels Season Preview and Prediction

UNC plays in the Coastal Division, where separation between programs is small, so there's a chance to rebound if the Tar Heels can find a quarterback who can move the ball without turning it over, reduce penalties, and make more big plays on defense. While UNC won't challenge for ACC supremacy, they have more talent than their recent record would suggest. (Athlon Sports)

Greatest former UNC athlete by state (South Dakota): Chris Hanburger

Born in Fort Bragg, NC, and the son of an Army Colonel, Chris Hanburger moved around as a child, including a period in Aberdeen, SD. An outstanding high school football player in Hampton, VA, Hanburger enlisted in the Army after graduating. He spent two years in the service before playing football at UNC, where he became a star linebacker and center. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

No Excuses, UNC Cornerback Greg Ross Just Wants To Learn And Improve

For North Carolina cornerback Greg Ross, everything he does on the football field is an opportunity to learn and get better. Compartmentalizing struggles in a manner that make them lessons is how Ross approaches things while highlighting the positives. So, when Ross looks back on last season, he sees the rough patches but also views them as a means to improve. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Greatest former UNC athlete by state (Rhode Island): Eric Ebron

Eric Ebron was recruited to North Carolina out of Smith High School in Greensboro, NC, but he first attended North Providence (RI) High School, making him the Rhode Island representative in this series. He was born and raised in Newark, NJ, but moved to Rhode Island for a couple of years to be near his ill grandfather. From there, Ebron moved to Greensboro. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

910Preps banquet guest Julius Peppers talks about Tar Heel roots

Julius Peppers, who ranks second in UNC history with 30.5 sacks, won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player, the Lombardi Award as the best collegiate lineman and the Bill Willis Trophy as the nation’s best defensive lineman. He also played on the court for the Heels and that run to the Final Four remains among his fondest memories. (Fayetteville Observer)

‘I gotta be strong:’ Injury and fatherhood have changed the Panthers’ Elijah Hood

Ten months ago, a knee injury in Carolina’s last preseason game threatened to strip Elijah Hood of the chance to play for his hometown Panthers, propelling him into a period of pain and doubt. But three weeks after his surgery, his son Elisha was born. If the player needed added motivation to throw himself into his recovery, it was now sitting in his lap. (Charlotte Observer)

Jake Lawler: A New Life

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell my story. But I now realize that I need to confront my depression. Opening up is something that I never thought I’d do but, because of a few people that have truly saved my life, I believe it’s important to share my experiences. To declare without guilt, embarrassment, shame, or hatred that I am Jake Lawler and I am depressed. (Jake Lawler)

Charlie Heck, UNC's Leader Up Front

Charlie Heck has adapted multiple times since arriving at UNC, so why not one more time for his senior season? Heck wasn’t an offensive lineman when he signed with UNC, though his brother, Jon, played tackle for the Tar Heels and his father, Andy, was a tackle at Notre Dame and in the NFL, and an offensive line coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

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