UNC football’s Kaimon Rucker likely caught a lot of Tar Heel fans with a bait-and-switch joke on Friday afternoon.

The senior jack linebacker shared a video on X — the social media platform formerly known as Twitter — where he mostly talked about entering his name into the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I had to make the decision best, not only for myself, but for my family and those who love and impact me,” Rucker says before hopping out of the chair and leaving frame.

But if you watch the entire video, Rucker comes back in front of the camera.

“Actually, I kinda lied,” he says with a smile. “College football, they ain’t ready for The Butcher to leave yet, so I’m [going to] come back for one more year. See y’all in Charlotte.”

The news came after Rucker was listed on the depth chart to play in the Tar Heels’ bowl game against West Virginia, but his return in 2024 will fortify a defense that struggled at the end of the 2023 season. The Hartwell, Ga. native was one of the bright spots of the unit, as he tallied a career-high 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Those marks were third- and fourth-best in the ACC, respectively. Rucker was named to the All-ACC second team by the conference and the Associated Press for his play. Earlier in the year, he also earned defensive lineman of the week from the ACC for his play against South Carolina and Pitt.

UNC football has lost some of its talent from the 2023 roster already to the NFL Draft, most notably quarterback Drake Maye, who is an projected top-5 pick. Senior linebacker and captain Cedric Gray is also turning pro, as are wide receiver Tez Walker, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor, and defensive lineman Myles Murphy. Murphy is the only one of the group who have declared so far to also commit to playing in the bowl game.

Rucker and the rest of the Tar Heels will suit up for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on December 27 in Charlotte, with kick-off set for 5:30 p.m.

 

Photo via Eli Melet/WCHL.

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