Here's a Complete Rundown of Every UNC Football Player Named to an Award Watch List

As we approach the 2024 college football season, several Tar Heels have been named to watch lists for national awards. Check out the complete rundown below, and check back in throughout the season to see an updated list!

RB Omarion Hampton – Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award

Image via Associated Press/Reinhold Matay

A first team All-ACC performer in 2023, Hampton returns to Chapel Hill as a bona fide NFL Draft prospect. He led the ACC in rushing attempts (253), rushing yards (1,504), rushing touchdowns (15), attempts per game (19.46) and yards per game (115.4) as a sophomore, anchoring a powerful Tar Heel offense. His rushing yards and rushing yards per game marks also ranked fifth nationwide. Hampton is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award – which honor college football’s most outstanding player – and the Doak Walker Award, honoring the nation’s top running back.

DE Kaimon Rucker – Nagurski Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy, Bednarik Award, Jason Witten Man of the Year Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

Kaimon Rucker was a standout in all 13 games for the UNC defense in 2023, leading the team with 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures. Rucker also earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors for a dominating performance in the season opener against South Carolina, tallying eight tackles, two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Following the season, he was named second team All-ACC. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in college football, have both named Rucker to its watch list. The Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football players who do outstanding humanitarian work, also named Rucker to its watch list. The Jason Witten Man of the Year Award, honoring “college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field,” named Rucker as a nominee as well.

TE Bryson Nesbit – John Mackey Award

Image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

A first team All-ACC honoree in 2023, Bryson Nesbit provided a dynamic weapon at the tight end position. Nesbit appeared in 12 of Carolina’s 13 games and ranked third on the team with 41 receptions and five touchdowns. His 585 receiving yards also led all ACC tight ends. Now, the NFL Draft prospect has been named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, honoring the nation’s most outstanding tight end.

TE John Copenhaver – John Mackey Award

Image via Associated Press/Chuck Burton

A steady presence at tight end, John Copenhaver started 10 of UNC’s 13 games in 2023. At season’s end, he had recorded 18 catches for 240 yards and four touchdowns, including five catches and 64 yards (both career highs) in the regular-season finale against NC State. Copenhaver is on the watch list for the John Mackey Award.

LB Power Echols – Bednarik Award, Butkus Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Andrew Dye

Power Echols started all 13 of Carolina’s games at linebacker in 2023, finishing the season with more than 100 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. He was one of just seven players in the ACC to record more than 100 tackles. The rising senior from Charlotte was named a third team All-ACC honoree in 2023 and earned an honorable mention nod in 2022. Now, he’s been named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in college football, and the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker.

DB Alijah Huzzie – Paul Hornung Award

Image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

The multi-talented Alijah Huzzie has been named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which honors the most versatile player in major college football. Playing defensive back for Carolina in 2023, Huzzie totaled 42 tackles, a tackle for loss, three interceptions and six pass break-ups. He also averaged 16 yards per return as a punt returner and scored a punt return touchdown against Pittsburgh in the fourth game of the season.

K Noah Burnette – Lou Groza Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

Burnette is coming off a season in which he missed just one kick: he finished 19-20 on field goals and a perfect 43-43 on extra-point attempts. His 95 percent success rate on field goals ranked fourth in FBS college football and first in the ACC. He earned second team All-ACC honors and is one of just two returning kickers in FBS with a 95 percent success rate last season. Burnette is on the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best place-kicker.

WR Kobe Paysour – Comeback Player of the Year

Image via Associated Press/Erik Verduzco

Kobe Paysour was one of Carolina’s most productive receivers in 2023 before missing the final eight games of the season with a lower-body injury suffered in practice. Prior to the injury, Paysour had hauled in 22 catches and three touchdowns, including a 100-yard performance against Syracuse in what turned out to be his final game. Now fully healthy entering the 2024 season, the slot specialist has been named to the watch list for the College Sports Communicators Comeback Player of the Year Award.

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