For the North Carolina Tar Heels, calling the 2024 college football season a whirlwind is an understatement.
UNC gave fans some optimism with its 3-0 start, then followed a concerning trend – in recent seasons – with four straight losses.
After the Georgia Tech loss, which North Carolina could’ve won on its last possession, we learned the gut-wrenching news that Tylee Craft lost his long battle to lung cancer.
For a Tar Heels team that’s in desperate need of some good news, it finally received some on Tuesday afternoon.
Kaimon Rucker, UNC’s best edge rusher who led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15) in 2023, was named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Rucker is one of 20 semifinalists for the Witten Award which, according to its official website, is given to the college football player who best “demonstrates a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.”
“A second-team All-ACC performer in 2023, Rucker is on the watch lists for the Nagurski and Bednarik Awards, and he is the leader of UNC’s defensive unit,” JasonWitten82.com wrote about Rucker. “He is a true standout in the community as well, where he provided personal hygiene items from his personal funds – for fifth graders at his old elementary school – who are experiencing physical changes to their bodies. He conducted a seminar with the fifth graders, primarily males, in an effort to educate them on this phase of their life. Rucker already earned his undergrad degree and is currently pursuing his master’s.”
On the football field this year, Rucker has eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack through three games. He previously missed time while recovering from a torn meniscus.
North Carolina will need the best from Rucker going forward if it wants to salvage what’s left of the season.
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