Tag: Kaimon Rucker

Rucker’s dedication to community lands him on Good Works Team

UNC jack linebacker Kaimon Rucker was recently nominated for Allstate’s AFCA Good Works team, given to someone who serves the community.

Kaimon Rucker is expected to be another leader on the Tar Heel football squad’s defense this season.

Carolina’s “jack” linebacker, who primarily rushes the passer but can also drop back in coverage when needed, enters year four in Chapel Hill. He’s started 15/37 games over his first three collegiate seasons, recording a 37-tackle (seven for loss), 3.5-sack, 8-pressure, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup last year.

Not only is Rucker a talented football player, he’s also quite the gentlemen off the field.

On Wednesday, July 12, Rucker was nominated for Allstate’s AFCA Good Works Team. According to GoHeels.com, this award is given to someone who is both a talented student-athlete and shows dedication to their respective community.

If Rucker is selected as a winner, he will join 10 other FBS players, 11 players from Division I, II, III and NAIA, plus one head coach.

Rucker’s spent time in Chapel Hill with multiple charitable causes. According to GoHeels.com, he spoke at UNC’s Mental Health Symposium, participated in the Extra Yard for Teachers, UNC Children’s Hospital visits, the Boomerang after school program, elementary school field days, youth football camps and various other charitable activities.

While there’s a little over a month until Rucker and the Gridiron Heels kick off 2023 in Bank of America Stadium against South Carolina (Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC), it’s nice to see players – who we only physically see on gamedays – get recognized for their off-the-field work.

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UNC’s Kaimon Rucker among highest-graded edge rushers returning in ACC

UNC football edge rusher Kaimon Rucker is among the highest-graded players returning at his position in the ACC.

During the 2022 season, North Carolina’s defense got off to a slow start despite the team going 9-1 in the first 10 games. There were problems with the defense not getting much pressure on the opposing quarterback and giving up too many big plays.

Going into this season, the task is on Gene Chizik to fix that and not waste an offense that will be led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Drake Maye.

Among the returners for Chizik on that defense is edge rusher Kaimon Rucker who had a big year in 2022. Now, going into this season Rucker is among the highest-graded edge rushers returning in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Pro Football Focus had Rucker No. 2 with a grade of 84.1:

The only player ahead of Rucker on the list is Miami’s Akheem Mesidor who graded out at 87.1 last season.

Rucker along with linebacker Cedric Gray will look to carry North Carolina’s front seven. It’s clear the Tar Heels have to get better at rushing the passer and Rucker will have to play a large role in doing that.

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Kaimon Rucker among top returning edge rushers per PFF

UNC football edge rusher Kaimon Rucker is among the top returners at his position in college football by Pro Football Focus.

North Carolina’s defense is hoping to take the next step under coordinator Gene Chizik in 2023. And it will do so with a bit of a new look.

After a shaky start to the 2022 campaign, the Tar Heels started to figure things out towards the end of the season. But some familiar names are gone and now Chizik will have the task of getting this unit to play well and not spoil another season from Drake Maye and the offense.

Among the returners for the Tar Heels is edge rusher Kaimon Rucker, a player that has developed into one of UNC’s best pass rushers. And now he’s being listed as one of the best-returning edge rushers in the country.

Pro Football Focus released its highest-graded edge rushers returning in 2023 and Rucker was No. 9 with a 84.1 grade:

Rucker is the second-highest graded edge rusher returning in the ACC behind only Miami’s Akheem Mesidor at No. 5 with an 87.1 grade.

If Rucker can get even better in 2023, the Tar Heels defense should be able to take that next step.

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Notre Dame vs. North Carolina: First-Quarter Analysis

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On the eve of Halloween, Notre Dame and North Carolina are locked in a tight battle in South Bend. Initially, neither side did much of anything to separate itself from the other. Then, the Irish broke through, and they have a 7-0 lead after one quarter.

The Irish had the opening possession and picked up a couple of first downs on it. That progress was halted around midfield when Jack Coan was sacked Kaimon Rucker on third down. The Tar Heels’ first possession was almost identical. They also earned two first downs before stalling out near midfield, though their drive ended on an incomplete pass.

Kyren Williams returned Ben Kiernan’s first punt 47 yards to set the Irish up in Tar Heels territory. This time, the Irish focused on the run, and it paid off with gains from Williams, Tyler Buchner and, believe it or not, Coan. Much of Coan’s progress was wiped out on a false start, but Buchner still hit Avery Davis for a 7-yard touchdown on a screen pass.

Faced with an early deficit, the Tar Heels took the ball back with new life. With a balanced attack, they reached Irish territory for the first time. The quarter ended when Sam Howell hit Josh Downs for 40 yards to give the Tar Heels a first-and-goal, then ran himself to get his team closer:  The 3-yard line to be exact. That goose egg on the scoreboard doesn’t appear it will last much longer.