When you talk about the best defensive lineman in college football for over the past two weeks, look no further than the North Carolina Tar Heels.
UNC generated 10 sacks in a 41-14 road blowout of Virginia, led by three from star edge rusher Kaimon Rucker. Reserve lineman Beau Atkinson added two, while Antavious Lane, Amare Campbell, Alijah Huzzie, Jahvaree Ritzie and Des Evans all added one each
In a 35-11 road stomping of Florida State on Saturday, North Carolina tacked on seven more sacks – led again by Atkinson and Rucker. Atkinson generated a game-high 3.5, while Rucker added one.
Particularly for their performance in the FSU game, Atkinson and Rucker were two of the country’s highest-graded edge rushers.
PFF College graded Rucker at 88.8, while it gave Atkinson a grade of 83.6.
Rucker was fourth amongst Power Four edge rushers, behind Stanford’s David Bailey (90.9), South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart (89.8) and NC State’s Devin Vann (89.8).
Atkinson landed sixth amongst Power Four edge rushers – behind Kentucky‘s Tre’Vonn Rybka, but ahead of Indiana’s Mikail Kamara and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmeilen.
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There was some offseason concern Rucker might elect for the NFL Draft, but his return bolstered a unit that severely underperformed for the Tar Heels in 2023. Rucker missed time earlier this season while recovering from an injury, but he’s shined since fully healthy, notching 17 tackles, four sacks and an interception.
Atkinson, a sophomore from Raleigh, increasingly looks like the future leader of UNC’s defensive line. Atkinson recorded 3.5 sacks in 2023 – and already surpassed that total in two 2024 games.
If North Carolina wants to continue its recent hot streak, more big games from its D-line duo are a crucial key.
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