A pair of former UNC players were selected Saturday on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft, as offensive tackle Charlie Heck and defensive lineman Jason Strowbridge each heard their names called.

Heck was the first Tar Heel off the board, going to the Houston Texans in the fourth round with the 126th overall pick.

A Second Team All-ACC selection in 2019, the 6-foot-8-inch Heck allowed only one-third of a sack all season long. His dad, Andy, was a former NFL tackle and is now the offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“This is a dream come true,” Heck said. “I’ve grown up around the NFL all of my life and never thought I’d be in this position. But, through a lot of hard work and dedication, and the support from my family, friends, coaches, and everyone in my life, I now have an opportunity to fulfill my dreams and that’s all anyone can ask for. I want to thank the Houston Texans for believing in me and giving me this chance. I promise I will work as hard as I can to be an asset to your franchise. I also want to thank everyone at UNC for their help throughout my time there. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get to work.”

Strowbridge was then selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round with the 154th overall pick, bringing him back near his hometown of Deerfield Beach, Florida–which is just 30 miles from where the Dolphins play their games at Hard Rock Stadium.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I dreamed of playing in the NFL,” Strowbridge said. “I’ve gone through a lot of highs and lows on my journey, but it’s all been worth it to get to this point. I’m now in position to play the game I love professionally and have an opportunity to take care of my family, which is really important to me. I can’t thank the Miami Dolphins franchise enough for selecting me.

The duo represent the 239th and the 240th Tar Heels ever to be taken in the NFL Draft.

 

 

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Photo via Dakota Moyer

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