Tag: Alijah Huzzie

UNC announces captains for Week 7 football clash with Georgia Tech

Which four Tar Heels will be walking to midfield as captains for today’s game against Georgia Tech?

Can the North Carolina Tar Heels, in the midst of their worst football stretch this year, turn their season around today against Georgia Tech?

It’s not impossible, but UNC (3-3, 0-2 ACC) hasn’t necessarily put itself in the best position to win recently. One week it’s poor defense, the next it’s a disappearing offense. North Carolina has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, highlighted by running back Omarion Hampton and edge rusher Kaimon Rucker, but that talent isn’t translating into victories.

Regardless of how the Tar Heels play, it’ll certainly be a powerful scene inside Kenan Stadium. UNC is dubbing today its Cancer Awareness game, as it honors junior wide receiver Tylee Craft, who was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2022.

North Carolina also named its captains for today’s clash: Starting defensive tackle Kevin Hester Jr., starting cornerback Alijah Huzzie, starting wide receiver Nate McCollum and tight end Cal Tierney, who battled cancer in the 2024 offseason.

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Hester is enjoying his final season in Carolina Blue, as his two sacks make him one of just four Tar Heels with multiple. Hester also has 17 tackles (eight solo) and two tackles for loss.

Huzzie continues to lead the UNC secondary with a team-best five pass breakups. Huzzie also has 15 tackles (eight solo) and 2.5 tackles for loss to his name.

McCollum enjoyed a breakout game North Carolina’s wide receiver group desperately needed last week, catching 10 passes for a season-best 128 yards. McCollum was the first Tar Heel receiver to surpass the century mark in 2024.

Tierney has yet to appear in a game for UNC, but we’re hoping that he’ll be able to return in 2025 and play some much-deserved football.

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UNC football players chosen for East-West Shrine Bowl watchlist

The UNC football team will be well-represented in January 2025’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

After months of anticipation build for the start of college football, the next season is over just like that.

Teams exceed their preseason rankings and end up playing for a championship, favorites fail to live up to the hype and new stars are born. Bowl season follows a regular-season full of surprises – in 2024, there’s more anticipation due to the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff.

With the departure of Drake Maye, Devontez Walker and Cedric Gray to the NFL, many North Carolina Tar Heel fans are wondering how the football season will pan out in Chapel Hill. There’s plenty of new – and returning – talent on both sides of the ball, highlighted by running back Omarion Hampton and linebacker Kaimon Rucker.

After UNC’s season ends, hopefully in a rare bowl victory, the East-West Shrine Bowl gives future NFL Draft hopefuls one last shot at collegiate gameplay – this time in front of NFL Executives. Recent stars from the Shrine Bowl include 2-time Super Bowl champion Isiah Pacheco and speedy wideout Zay Flowers.

Just over six months away from the 2025 Shrine Bowl, which will be played January 30 next year at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, 12 North Carolina football players were named to the Shrine Bowl 1000.

Desmond Evans, the Class of 2020’s second-ranked player overall, recorded 33 total tackles (18 solo), five tackles for loss and three sacks in 12 games played last year. Bryson Nesbit, expected to be a top tight end taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, led UNC tight ends with 585 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2023.

Rucker will lead the defense this coming season. He returns 61 tackles (34 solo), a team-high 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks from 2023. Power Echols, expected to be another defensive standout, returns 102 tackles (60 solo) and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Nate McCollum, expected to step into a larger starting role this year, caught 44 passes for 469 yards and a touchdown in 2023. Kevin Hester Jr., a starting defensive tackle, brings 30 tackles (12 solo) into the 2024 campaign.

J.J. Jones will likely be the Tar Heels’ top wideout. He led North Carolina with 711 receiving yards last season, plus he added three touchdown. Alijah Huzzie, who transferred in from East Tennessee State before 2023, led UNC with three interceptions last year.

Willie Lampkin is arguably the Tar Heels’ top offensive lineman, as he was named 2023 Third Team All-ACC and started all 11 games he appeared in last year. Antavious “Stick” Lane transferred into Chapel Hill ahead of the 2023 season, recording 62 tackles (33 solo) and three for loss, while NC State transfer Jakeen Harris brings 80 total tackles, eight deflected passes and three interceptions with him from Raleigh.

Last but not least, Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson will be competing for North Carolina’s starting quarterback job with Conner Harrell. He carries a ton of experience and talent with him – 5,853 passing yards, 47 touchdowns, 22 starts and four years of SEC football.

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Several UNC football players tabbed Preseason All-American and All-ACC

The North Carolina Tar Heels could surprise some people on the gridiron this coming season.

Roster-wise, the 2024 UNC football season is going to look significantly different.

Gone are 2023 stars Drake Maye, Devontez Walker and Cedric Gray to the NFL. North Carolina will have a new starting quarterback for the first time in three years, a decision that has yet to be made between Jacolby Criswell, Max Johnson and Conner Harrell, while there isn’t a ton of experience in the wide receiver room behind J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum.

The Tar Heels return plenty of stars, though, headlined by running back Omarion Hampton and jack linebacker Kaimon Rucker. Whichever QB wins the starting job should take advantage of UNC’s deep tight end room, including Bryson Nesbit, John Copenhaver and Texas A&M transfer Jake Johnson.

Just over two months away from North Carolina’s season-opener – Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET in a rematch with Minnesota – several Tar Heels made college football analyst Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American and All-ACC teams.

Hampton, a Preseason First Team All-American and All-ACC honoree, led the ACC and finished fifth in the country with 1,504 rushing yards last year.

Rucker, a Preseason First Team All-ACC and Fourth Team All-American honoree, led the Tar Heels with 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks last season. Nesbit, also a Preseason First Team All-ACC and Fourth Team All-American, paced UNC’s tight end room with 585 receiving yards and finished second overall with five touchdowns.

Alijah Huzzie, a Preseason First Team All-ACC honoree, led North Carolina with three interceptions last year. He also had the Tar Heels’ lone return touchdown.

Power Echols, a 2023 starting linebacker who formed a formidable 1-2 tandem with Gray, recorded 102 tackles last season. That is most amongst returners.

Willie Lampkin, who rounds out the Preseason honors with his Third Team All-ACC Honors, started all 11 games he appeared in last year on the Tar Heels’ offensive line.

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UNC vs. Campbell: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The Campbell Fightin’ Camels provide UNC’s football team a much-needed chance to reset on Saturday afternoon. What exactly will Carolina do?

UNC’s next football opponent, Campbell, couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Tar Heels’ once promising season – they started 6-0 – took a dark turn. UNC lost two consecutive games to opponents it had no business losing to – UVA two weekends ago, followed by Georgia Tech last Saturday. The Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets combined for over 1,000 yards against Carolina, with 576 of those coming on the ground.

This is the same UNC defense that had been shutting opponents down in the second half, sacked South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler nine times in Week 1 and had been generating turnovers seemingly every game.

The Tar Heels return home to take on the Camels at 12 p.m. Saturday. While Campbell’s no slouch at 4-4, it’s an FCS school. When UNC last played an FCS opponent, it pulled away from Florida A&M and hung 56 points on them in the 2022 opener.

Despite the disappointing defensive performances over their past two games, the Tar Heels still have one of the nation’s best offenses. UNC quarterback Drake Maye has thrown for 300+ yards in each of the losses, while starting running back Omarion Hampton has reached over 100 yards in both games.

Campbell could create some chaos in Chapel Hill, though, with four players reaching the 250-yard marker. Those same four players have multiple touchdowns, led by six from NaQuari Rogers.

Camels quarterback Hajj Malik-Williams isn’t too shabby either, passing for 2,085 yards, sporting a 16-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and completing nearly 74 percent of his passes.

UNC’s ultimately going to win this game by a wide margin, but Campbell has the talent to keep it close early.

UNC Football: Five things to watch in primetime clash against Miami

The Tar Heels have their toughest ACC football test in the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday night. These are the five areas you should focus on.

There hasn’t been this much hype around the UNC football program since, well, the last century.

Carolina is 5-0 for the first time since 1997 – before any player on the current team was born. The Heels have throttled previously top-ranked pass defenses – Pitt and Minnesota – with ease. Omarion Hampton ran all over the App state defense for 200+ yards and Devontez Walker was recently ruled eligible, but the Tar Heel receiving room is so deep that Walker’s presence might not have as great an impact fans thought.

The most surprising storyline surrounding the team so far, however, is how well the defense is playing. It all started in Week 1, when UNC defenders sacked South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler nine times. App State was a game the defense wants to forget about, but it rebounded the following week and limited Minnesota gunslinger Athas Kaliakmanis to 11 completions. Carolina’s defense shutout Pitt in the second half (kick return was a defensive score), then held Syracuse to single-digits for the first time all year.

The Miami (FL) Hurricanes are coming into Chapel Hill this weekend for a 7:30 p.m. ET, primetime matchup with the Heels. Miami will likely be playing hungry and angry, looking to avenge last week’s stunning, home upset loss against Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes provide UNC with its toughest ACC test yet – can this talented Carolina team rise to the challenge?

Let’s dive into five areas you should be looking out for ahead of Saturday’s clash:

Rucker, Huzzie pick up ACC Player of the Week nods

UNC football players Kaimon Rucker (two sacks) and Alijah Huzzie (punt return for TD, two INTs) picked up ACC Player of the Week honors.

Life is sittin’ pretty right now for members of the UNC football program.

Along with Florida State, Miami, Louisville, Syracuse and Duke, the Tar Heels are 4-0, one of six undefeated ACC teams through four weeks. Their record is sweetened by the fact that three of their first four victories came against Power 5 opponents (South Carolina, Minnesota, Pitt).

After a slow start on Saturday night against Pitt, UNC started rolling offensively in the second quarter and tightened up defensively, allowing no second-half points (Pitt’s kick return TD was a defensive score). The Heels ended up winning, 41-24, grabbing the college football world’s attention with a Drake Maye left-handed throw and an Alijah Huzzie punt return for a touchdown.

UNC performed so well in its ACC-opening victory that not one, but TWO Tar Heels picked up ACC Player of the Week honors: Huzzie (specialist) and Kaimon Rucker (defensive lineman).

It’s easy to see why Huzzie was chosen – his second-quarter punt return for six points gave UNC the lead for good, plus he picked off Pitt quarterback Christian Veilleux twice.

Rucker was an intergral part of the defense as well, tying with teammates Power Echols and Cedric Gray for a team-high seven tackles. Rucker also sacked Veilleux twice, the only Tar Heel with a sack.

This is Rucker’s second ACC Player of the Week award, as he also earned honors after the season opener against South Carolina. Rucker was also named National Player of the Week after the opener.

With a unit that had so many question marks heading into the campaign, it’s looking like an area of strength for the Tar Heels.

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Fans vote on where Alijah Huzzie ranks across all UNC sports transfers

Alijah Huzzie has been the most impactful transfer on the UNC football team this year. He might also be one of UNC’s best ever.

The more time goes on, the more it seems college sports teams utilize the transfer portal as a means for replenishing roster talent.

We’ve seen it a lot recently among college football teams, particularly at the quarterback position. Some notable quarterbacks transfers include: D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson -> Oregon State), Quinn Ewers (Ohio State -> Texas), Kedon Slovis (USC -> Pitt -> BYU), Graham Mertz (Wisconsin -> Florida), Brennan Armstrong (UVA –> N.C. State), Jayden Daniels (Arizona State -> LSU) and J.T. Daniels, who’s played at more schools than I can count.

Several players in the transfer portal have also found their way to Chapel Hill, with plenty of them finding on-field success. Ty Chandler helped stabilize the running back position in 2021, after Michael Carter and Javonte Williams were selected in the NFL Draft. This year, Amari Gainer joined the Tar Heels from Florida State, Nate McCollum came up from Georgia Tech and Devontez Walker, who was ruled ineligible for the season, found his way down from Kent State.

UNC’s most impactful transfer this season, however, might be East Tennessee State transfer Alijah Huzzie. The junior defensive back made a game-saving tackle in overtime against App State, then cemented his status as Carolina’s punt returner against Pitt.

With the Heels and Panthers deadlocked at 14 midway through the second quarter, Huzzie gave UNC the lead for good when he took a Caleb Junko punt 52 yards to the house.

Just how good has Huzzie been for Carolina and where does he rank among inward transfers? Not just in football, but across all sports? Let’s take a look at what fans had to say on X (formerly known as Twitter):

UNC Football: Helmet stickers for win over Pitt

UNC delivered a second-consecutive well-rounded performance in its ACC-opening football victory over Pitt. Let’s check out who shined.

With a thorough, 41-24 victory over Pitt in its ACC football opener, the UNC football team is 4-0 for the first time since 1997.

Who was the head coach back then? The same guy leading Carolina right now – Mack Brown.

UNC’s defense looked like swiss cheese in the opening quarter, as it allowed Pitt to march right down the field and cap off its opening drive with a 7-yard, Rodney Hammond Jr. touchdown run. The Panthers tacked on ten more first-half points, then returned a kick 100 yards for a score.

For the third time in four games, Carolina suffocated its opponent defensively. The Heels’ defense pitched a second-half shutout Saturday night – Pitt’s kick return is considered a defensive score. UNC allowed only six combined second-half points between the South Carolina and Minnesota games.

Alijah Huzzie headlined a strong special teams unit, taking a second-quarter punt 52 yards to the house and giving the Tar Heels a lead they’d never relinquish.

Drake Maye shined with 296 passing yards and three total touchdowns, but he stole the spotlight with his late first-half, left-handed touchdown pass to Kobe Paysour.

With such a well-rounded victory, it’s tough to single in on specific players for helmet stickers. Let’s take a look at who we think deserve them:[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

What Mack Brown said after UNC’s ACC-opening win over Pitt

Check out what UNC football head coach Mack Brown had to say after his team moved to 4-0 by beating Pitt, 41-23, on Saturday night.

From watching UNC football games since Mack Brown retained his post as head coach, we know that a happy Mack means postgame dance parties in the locker room.

After tonight’s 41-24 victory over Pitt in the ACC opener for both teams, there’s no doubt Brown is going to be happy.

Outside of a mainly lackluster first quarter, the Heels truly looked like a team capable of contending for the ACC crown. They enjoyed a balanced offensive attack, led by three Drake Maye touchdowns, received a special teams boost when Alijah Huzzie returned a second-quarter punt for a touchdown, then only allowed seven second-half points to the host Panthers.

To make things even more exciting in Chapel Hill, the boys in baby blue are 4-0 for the first time since 1997, when – you guessed it – Brown was also head coach.

There’s not yet any videos on social media of Brown dancing after the triumph over Pitt. In the meantime, let’s hear what he had to say after the huge victory:

All-around effort helps deliver 4-0 start for UNC football in win over Pitt

The UNC football team dominated Pitt in a well-rounded, 41-24, ACC-opening victory. Carolina is 4-0 heading into its bye week.

North Carolina’s ACC football opener on Saturday at Pitt is exactly the type of game the team has struggled with in the past – a severely outmatched opponent, on the road, a ranked team playing an unranked one.

On Saturday night, the Tar Heels looked nothing like the team that struggled to prove itself in big moments.

After generating offense sparingly and struggling to put together defensive stops in the opening quarter, UNC exploded for 21 second-quarter points en route to a dominating, 41-24 triumph over Pitt in the ACC opener for both teams.

The Tar Heels trailed 14-7 after Daniel Carter’s rushing touchdown for Pitt, just five seconds into the second quarter. They responded by driving half the field – highlighted by a trick play, then capped off by Drake Maye’s first of three touchdowns.

UNC then made a defensive stand, which is becoming more commonplace this season, halfway through the second quarter to set up the ensuing fireworks. Alijah Huzzie, the East Tennessee State transfer, took a Caleb Junko punt 50 yards to the house for a 20-14 Tar Heel lead. UNC would never trail again.

Huzzie finished his night with two returns for 81 yards. This marks the second game-changing play in as many weeks for Huzzie, who made an open field tackle against App State to prevent it from driving further in overtime.

The one play everyone is talking about from UNC-Pitt is what closed the first half scoring. With Maye keeping the ball on a read option and about to be sacked by Panther defenders, he threw the ball with his left hand to a waiting Kobe Paysour in the end zone. Carolina converted on the ensuing extra point and took a 28-17 advantage into the half.

Maye delivered a solid encore after his explosion against Minnesota, completing 22 passes for 296 yards and compiling three total touchdowns. His first touchdown came shortly after the second-quarter trick play, while his final score was a 1-yard, third-quarter rushing touchdown that extended UNC’s lead to 34-17 (35-17 after extra point).

Carolina star running back Omarion Hampton even joined in on the scoring fun, carrying the rock 18 times for 66 yards and his team’s first touchdown of the game.

Sittin’ pretty at 4-0 heading into the bye week after a thorough victory in its ACC opener, the UNC football team is in good shape to compete atop the conference.

Pitt, on the other hand, is heading in the wrong direction and, almost certainly, will look at how to get virtually any production from its offense. The Panthers finished with 307 total yards, but Phil Jurkovec barely cracked the 100-yard passing mark.

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