UNC is not necessarily known for being a defensive-minded football program, but it’s churned out some solid players over the years.
Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers are likely the first two players who come to mind when a Carolina fan thinks defense.
There’s one guy in recent years, Cole Holcomb, who’s already making an immediate impact with his new team.
Holcomb, who shined at UNC from 2015-2018, was a fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders back in 2019. He spent four years in the nation’s capital, registering a pick-six and a pair of 100-tackle seasons, but Washington decided not to re-sign him.
Now in his first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Holcomb is continuing to make an immediate impact.
On Wednesday, Holcomb was named one of Pro Football Focus’ most impactful NFL free agent signings.
Check out what PFF’s Brad Spielberger had to say about Pittsburgh’s new linebacker:
“Holcomb earned an 81.0 grade in Week 2 on a robust 78 snaps, with his 80.6 coverage grade exactly why Pittsburgh signed him to play alongside thumpers like Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander. Holcomb allowed just one reception for eight yards in coverage, making two defensive stops. He also added a quarterback pressure, one of over a half-dozen Steelers to wreak havoc on Deshaun Watson.
If Holcomb can continue to man the middle of the field, up the seams in coverage and prevent throws between the second level and the single-high safety that Pittsburgh generally deploys, he’ll be a huge benefit to this talented defense.”
With the Cleveland Browns leading the Steelers, 22-19, on Monday Night Football earlier this week, Browns tight end David Njoku caught and ran with a Deshaun Watson pass. Just as it looked Njoku’s knee would hit the grass at Acrisure Stadium, Holcomb popped the ball loose for teammate Damontae Kazee to recover.
Cole Holcomb forces the fumble for the Steelers 🔥
Pittsburgh has the chance to tie or take the lead 👀pic.twitter.com/2QchLq3pxJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 19, 2023
While Pittsburgh didn’t score on its ensuing drive, the fumble was part of a stellar defensive performance, as the Browns only scored once in the second half. The Steelers would later win on T.J. Watt’s scoop-and-score fumble.
Holcomb totaled eight total tackles (three solo) in the victory – he’ll only get more comfortable in the Steelers’ defense as the season progresses.
With Holcomb being one of their starting inside linebackers and fresh off his best performance in black and gold, he’s quickly shown he belongs in Pittsburgh.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.