Though defense proved to be an issue for the UNC football team during its 2024 season, there were a few players who gave Tar Heel Nation something to be proud about.
One of those players happens to be Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina’s fifth-year edge rusher from Hartwell, Ga.
Rucker missed several games earlier this year while recovering from an injury, but ended his final collegiate season with 30 tackles (16 solo), eight tackles for loss, six sacks and three quarterback hurries.
Rucker won’t be suiting up for UNC anymore, but his chances of playing professional football look increasingly more likely.
On his X account Friday, January 3, Rucker shared that he was invited to the NFL Combine.
This year’s Combine, a 4-day event that gives collegiate prospects chances to shine in front of NFL teams during a series of drills, will take place Thursday, February 27-Sunday, March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
the story continues… Thank You Jesus❤️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/iUxXy4EUeS
— Kaimon “The Butcher🔪” Rucker (@_kruck75_) January 3, 2025
Rucker’s best 2024 outing came in North Carolina’s 41-14 stomping of Virginia, in which he set season-highs of eight tackles (five solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and picked off his lone pass.
Rucker is certainly deserving of a spot at the combine, as he proved to be one of college football’s most dangerous pass-rushers in five seasons as a Tar Heel. Rucker, a Second Team All-ACC selection in 2023, recorded 180 total tackles, 100 solo tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, four forced fumbles and passes deflected apiece, one fumble recovery and one interception.
I’m curious to see where Rucker goes in the NFL Draft. I project him being a mid-later round pick, but if NFL teams watched Rucker like we did for five years at UNC, they know they’ll be getting a productive, high-motor player who has an immense passion for the game.
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