Cedric Gray has his eyes on the pros.

The two-time All-ACC linebacker and leading tackler for the Tar Heels officially declared for the NFL Draft on Monday afternoon. He will not play in Carolina’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl matchup with West Virginia on December 27.

“I could not have asked for a better group of guys to spend the last four years with,” Gray said in his announcement. “We are forever brothers.”

After bursting onto the scene with two interceptions against Miami in 2021, Gray truly flourished in 2022. He led all Power 5 players in total tackles (145) and solo tackles (82) on his way to being named first team All-ACC and second team All-America.

Though not quite as productive in 2023, Gray still established himself as one of the best linebackers in the conference. He once again led the team in tackles (121) and proved to be an all-around defender, posting 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Gray recorded 10 or more tackles in a game 16 times as a Tar Heel, and his 359 career tackles rank eighth in Carolina history. He is projected to be a second- or third-round pick in this spring’s NFL Draft.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Football Falls to West Virginia in Duke's Mayo Bowl
A depleted Tar Heel roster couldn’t keep up with West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Wednesday night, as the Mountaineers dealt Carolina a 30-10 loss to end the 2023 season. It’s UNC’s fourth straight loss in a bowl game. Among the UNC stars absent from Charlotte were quarterback Drake Maye, linebacker Cedric Gray, […]
'This Isn't a Field Trip': UNC Football Fired Up for Duke's Mayo Bowl
By the time UNC takes the field in Bank of America Stadium Wednesday night, it will have been more than a month since its last game.
UNC Football to Face West Virginia in Duke's Mayo Bowl
The Tar Heels will end the season where it started three months ago. Carolina earned a bid to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, where it will face West Virginia. The game is scheduled for December 27. It’s finally official, @UNCFootball and @WVUfootball are joining the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. We can’t wait to see you […]
South Carolina Runs Past UNC in Duke's Mayo Bowl
No mayonnaise bath for Mack Brown. The veteran head coach suffered one last humbling defeat in the 2021 season, as his Tar Heels came out flat against South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and never recovered. The 38-21 loss sent UNC, who finishes the year 6-7, to its first losing season under […]
UNC Football Hoping to End 2021 On a High Note in Duke's Mayo Bowl
The Queen City will host a border war Thursday, with the two Carolinas fighting for regional supremacy in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. This will be the 59th all-time meeting between North and South Carolina in football, but it’s the first time the Tar Heels and Gamecocks have played in the postseason. Though UNC’s […]
Mondays With Mack: National Signing Day and Preparing for the Duke's Mayo Bowl
UNC football head coach Mack Brown joined Aaron Keck this morning for “Mondays with Mack,” presented by Chapel Hill Tire. The Tar Heels are busy with preparations for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game with South Carolina on December 30, but Brown still made time this month to sign a historic 2022 recruiting class, one which […]
UNC QB Sam Howell On Playing in Bowl Game: 'Wasn't Really A Decision To Be Made'
UNC junior quarterback Sam Howell spoke with the media Monday afternoon for the first time since announcing he would be playing in the team’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl Game against South Carolina. Howell, who is projected to be an early selection in next spring’s NFL Draft, appeared as relaxed and and comfortable as he’d been the […]
UNC Football Receives Bid to Duke's Mayo Bowl; Will Face South Carolina
For the third consecutive year under head coach Mack Brown, the UNC football team is going bowling. The Tar Heels found out their postseason destination Sunday, and it’s very close to home. Carolina will play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, where they will face South Carolina. Both the Tar Heels and Gamecocks finished […]
Chansky's Notebook: Overspending
There has been a change of leadership with UNC's Board of Trustees, but it appears they've gone from one spendthrift to another.
Chansky's Notebook: Perfect Timing
Let’s imagine what is going on behind the scenes at UNC and Clemson, who will meet in Chapel Hill on October 4.
›