Following a 41-6 win against Richmond Saturday afternoon, UNC’s Mikai Gbayor has been named the ACC’s Linebacker of the Week.

Gbayor tied for second on the team with six total tackles against the Spiders and also forced a fumble, which was recovered by the Tar Heels and led to a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Gbayor also recovered a fumble himself in the fourth quarter and returned it 62 yards for the first touchdown of his collegiate career. It was the first fumble return for a touchdown by the Tar Heels since 2021.

Gbayor anchored a defense which has held consecutive opponents without a touchdown for the first time since 2012. Through three games, the Nebraska and Missouri transfer has 16 total tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Gbayor is the first Tar Heel at any position to earn an ACC Player of the Week nod this season.

“We’re looking forward to doing that to all our opponents,” Gbayor said after the Richmond game. “We just want to shut them out and play hard-nosed football. That’s our goal.”

To see all of the ACC’s Players of the Week, click here.

Gbayor and the rest of the Tar Heels will be back in action when they visit UCF in Orlando this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Dalton T. Wainscott

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