The Heisman Winners

A Sports News Website

Best North Carolina Tar Heels Football Players

Discover the best North Carolina Tar Heels Football Players that have excelled on the collegiate and pro levels. The Tar Heels have produced Pro Football Hall of Fame players, Heisman finalist and a long list of players that have made the UNC faithful proud.

North Carolina players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Julius Peppers – Class of 2024

North Carolina Breakthrough

Enrolling at the University of North Carolina in 1998, Peppers quickly became a tour de force on the collegiate gridiron. His dedication and skill did not go unnoticed, as he collected numerous accolades that highlighted his exceptional defensive capabilities.

Honors and Accolades

  • Unanimous All-American Honors (2001)
  • Chuck Bednarik Award: Celebrating his defensive excellence
  • Lombardi Award: Recognizing his outstanding performance
  • Bill Willis Trophy: Emblematic of his supreme defensive play
  • Heisman Voting: Peppers finished 10th in the 2001 Heisman race. Nebraska’s Eric Crouch won the award

Often compared to football titan Lawrence Taylor, another Tar Heel legend, Peppers demonstrated his immense value early in his career, which was just a precursor to his dominance in the professional league.

NFL Draft and Professional Career

In the 2002 NFL Draft, Julius Peppers was a highly sought-after talent and was promptly selected as the second overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, igniting what would become an extraordinary professional career.

Career Timeline:

Peppers launched and concluded his NFL endeavors with the Panthers, delivering powerhouse performances that underscored his time with the team.

His stint with the Bears further cemented his reputation as a defensive juggernaut, continuing to astonish fans and opponents alike with his athletic brilliance. He is honored as one of the “100 greatest Bears of All-Time.”

At the Packers, Peppers showcased his veteran leadership and maintained his high level of play, proving age was merely a number for his seemingly timeless talent.

Notable NFL Achievements

Right from the start, Peppers proved he belonged, clinching this prestigious rookie honor.

These selections affirmed his status as one of the best defensive players in the league throughout his career with this honor he achieved in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Recognized for his consistent excellence across two decades, he’s one of the rare talents to be honored in consecutive all-decade teams.

His indelible impact on the sport has earned him a place among the game’s immortals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Hanburger – Class of 2011

Chris Hanburger’s extraordinary career in professional football is a narrative replete with discipline, resilience, and exceptional talent. From an underestimated 18th-round pick to becoming one of the most formidable linebackers of his time, Hanburger’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 is a testament to his remarkable impact on the game.

The Early Years: A Foundation for Success

Born in a military base at Fort Bragg and playing his high school football in Hampton, Virginia, Hanburger’s formative years laid the groundwork for his future prowess. Excelling at the University of North Carolina from 1962-1964, he was recognized as an All-ACC center, showcasing the grit and athleticism that would become his trademarks.

Defying Expectations: The Rise to NFL Stardom

The Washington Redskins’ selection of Chris Hanburger in the 18th round of the 1965 NFL Draft marked the beginning of what would be an exemplary career. His transformation from a late draft pick into an NFL powerhouse encapsulates the drive and determination that define the elite in sports.

Commanding the Field with Skill

Hanburger’s tenure in the NFL is studded with accolades that underscore his dominance:

  • Nine Pro Bowl selections—a clear indication of the respect and admiration he garnered from peers and the football community
  • Five-time NFL First Team All-Pro, immortalizing him as one of the best at his position
  • An inclusion as one of the “80 Greatest Redskins,” symbolizing his enduring legacy within the franchise
  • Recognition in Washington’s Ring of Fame, celebrating him among the Redskins’ most celebrated players

Lawrence Taylor – Class of 1999

Discover the incredible story of Lawrence Taylor—a defensive powerhouse who reshaped the game of NFL football with his exceptional skills and relentless energy.

Early Life and College Career

New York Giants and NFL Stardom

  • With the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft, the New York Giants secured not just a player but an incoming legend in Lawrence Taylor. Taylor’s rookie year was remarkable, winning him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title and only hinting at the trailblazing path he would blaze.
  • The defensive titan would clinch the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors thrice (1981, 1982, and 1986), showcasing a dominance seldom seen in the league.
  • The apex of Taylor’s stellar accomplishments came in 1986 when he stood atop the NFL world as the league’s Player of the Year.
  • Throughout his career, Taylor was an intimidating force on the gridiron, accumulating a staggering 10 Pro Bowl selections and earning a place on the First-Team All-Pro eight times.
  • Honors such as being named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, cemented his legacy as one of the game’s greats.

Monumental Impact and Career Statistics

Lawrence Taylor was not merely a player; he was a force of nature on the football field. His influence is still felt today as generations of linebackers and defensive players aspire to emulate his voracious quest for excellence and impact on the gridiron.

Discover More Amazing Football Stories