Several UNC football players have been nominated for major nationwide awards. Check back in here to see the updated list of who’s been nominated for what!
LB Cedric Gray — Bronko Nagurski Award, Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
Gray was named first team All-ACC in 2022, leading the conference in total tackles. For his efforts, Gray was also named second team All-America by the Sporting News. Now, Gray is having another outstanding season for the Tar Heels in 2023, leading the team in total tackles with 85 and ranking second in tackles for loss with 10. Gray stuffs the stat sheet as an all-around force on defense, and has 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception to his name through nine games. It should come as no surprise then that, in addition to his numerous preseason awards, Gray has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s top linebacker.
RB Omarion Hampton — Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award
Image via Associated Press/Chris Seward
Hampton has established himself as one of the best running backs not just in the ACC, but the entire nation in 2023. Through 12 games, the sophomore has totaled 15 rushing touchdowns (tied for eighth nationally) and 1,442 rushing yards (fourth nationally) on 225 carries (eighth nationally). Each of those stats rank first in the conference. Now, Hampton has been named to the midseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in college football, and one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s best running back.
DE Kaimon Rucker — Chuck Bednarik Award, Wuerffel Trophy
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini
Rucker has been one of Carolina’s best players on defense in 2023. Through six games, Rucker has totaled a team-high 6.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss (no other teammate has more than 5.5 tackles for loss). Rucker’s 29 total tackles rank third on the team, behind only star linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols. Now, Rucker has been named to the midseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors college football’s most outstanding defensive player. The Wuerffel Award for community service has also honored Rucker. Rucker won the 2022-23 ACC Top Six in Service Award and has worked with Extra Yard for Teachers, the Boomerang after school program, Table NC and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Rucker also hosted the annual Rammy Awards on the UNC campus at the conclusion of the 2022-23 athletic season.
QB Drake Maye — Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Walter Camp Award, Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Image via Eli Melet
Drake Maye is at the forefront of college football this season and is seen as an almost sure bet for the first round of the NFL Draft next spring. As such, the redshirt sophomore is raking in award nominations in 2023. Maye is the reigning Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year, and more hardware could be in his future. He set single-season UNC records for passing yards, completions and attempts last season. After receiving numerous preseason accolades, Maye was named a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, presented to the top player in college football, and the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback. The Manning Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback, named Maye a finalist as well.
RB Elijah Green — Wuerffel Trophy
Image via Eli Melet
UNC running back Elijah Green has made a name for himself both on and off the field. Green ascended to the starting running back role late in the 2022 season, but that’s only one of his numerous responsibilities on campus. Green is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board, a Scholar-Athlete for the football program and also participates in visits to UNC Children’s Hospital. Now, Green has been named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football’s most impactful leaders in community service.
WR Tez Walker — Biletnikoff Award
Image via Kent State Athletics
Despite never having appeared in a Tar Heel uniform before this fall, Tez Walker comes into the 2023 season with high expectations. The former Kent State star has already been named to the preseason All-ACC team and earned a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award honors the top pass-catcher in all of college football. Walker had a breakout season with the Golden Flashes in 2021, amassing 921 receiving yards and catching 11 touchdowns, including one against future national champions Georgia.
TE John Copenhaver — John Mackey Award
Image via Associated Press/Chuck Burton
Copenhaver burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2022, catching 12 passes for 198 yards after catching just two passes in 2021. Copenhaver’s best game came against Georgia State, when he finished with 64 yards. He also recorded multiple receptions in games throughout the conference season, including against Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest. Now, Copenhaver has been named to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the best tight end in college football.
TE Bryson Nesbit — John Mackey Award
Image via Associated Press/Chris Seward
Perhaps one of the most intriguing pro prospects on the UNC roster, Nesbit’s combination of size and speed at the tight end position has NFL scouts buzzing. Nesbit was named Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2022 after posting 35 receptions for 507 yards and four touchdowns. Nesbit’s best game came against Virginia Tech, when he recorded four catches for a career-high 98 yards and a touchdown. Like his teammate Copenhaver, Nesbit has been named to the watch list for the Mackey Award.
OL Spencer Rolland — Campbell Trophy
Image via Inside Carolina
Rolland became a starter on the UNC offensive line after transferring from Harvard in 2022. Now, Rolland is entering his final season as a Tar Heel and has been named UNC’s 2023 nominee for the Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player in college football with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. The Campbell Trophy has become known as the “Academic Heisman.”
K Ryan Coe — Lou Groza Award
Image via Cincinnati Athletics
A transfer from Cincinnati, Coe will look to stabilize a kicker position for the Tar Heels which experienced some bumps in the road last season. Coe was 19-23 on field goals with a long of 52 yards with the Bearcats in 2022 and didn’t miss an extra point. Now, he’s been named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, honoring the nation’s best kicker.
LS Drew Little — Mannelly Award
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
Little has been UNC’s trusted long snapper since stepping on campus in 2019. The Richfield, N.C., product is in his final season as a Tar Heel, and thus has his last chance to win the Patrick Mannelly Award, given annually to the top long snapper in college football.
P Ben Kiernan — Ray Guy Award
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Brian Westerholt
Like Little, Kiernan has been a steady presence on the UNC special teams unit since 2019. Kiernan started every possible game for the Tar Heels at punter during that time, and he was named third team All-ACC in 2022. He’s been named to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, honoring the nation’s best punter.
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