Following strong performances in the win against South Carolina, UNC running back British Brooks and edge rusher Kaimon Rucker were each named ACC Players of the Week at their positions on Tuesday.

Brooks was playing in his first game in more than a year after missing the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury. Ironically, Brooks’ last game before the injury was the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against the Gamecocks in Charlotte in December of 2021. On Saturday, Brooks rushed 15 times for 103 yards, the second 100-yard rushing game of his career.

Rucker dominated the trenches for the Tar Heels, racking up eight tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in a smothering defensive effort. The UNC defense as a whole totaled nine sacks and limited the Gamecocks to minus-two yards rushing. In addition to Tuesday’s honor, Rucker was also named the Walter Camp FBS National Defensive Player of the Week and the Bednarik Award Player of the Week.

The honors are the first in the careers of Brooks and Rucker. They and the rest of the Tar Heels will be back in action on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. in the home opener against Appalachian State.

 

Featured image via The News & Observer/Ethan Hyman

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