Which Tar Heels are Going Where in the NFL? Check Out Our Full List.

Check out the full list of which UNC players are headed to the pros! NFL draftees, as well as undrafted free agents who sign contracts with pro teams, will be added to this list.

RB Omarion Hampton – Los Angeles Chargers (R1, No. 22 overall)

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs with the football during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

The Los Angeles Chargers made Hampton the first Tar Heel to be selected in the NFL Draft Thursday night when they took the former UNC standout with the 22nd overall pick. It’s the highest a UNC running back has been selected in the draft since 1971. Hampton’s two seasons as the primary starter in Chapel Hill ended with him ranked No. 2 and No. 3 on the program’s all-time single-season rushing leaderboard. He was named first team All-ACC and second team All-America in 2023 and 2024.

LB Power Echols – Chicago Bears (Undrafted free agent)

Image via UNC Athletic Communications

A three-year starter at linebacker, Echols earned honorable mention All-ACC honors as a sophomore in 2022 and third team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2023, recording more than 100 total tackles in both campaigns. As a senior, Echols finished with 76 total tackles, an interception and his first career fumble recovery.

DB Alijah Huzzie – Houston Texans (Undrafted free agent)

North Carolina defensive back Alijah Huzzie (28) celebrates his interception with defensive back Will Hardy (31) as Syracuse wide receiver Donovan Brown (87), the intended receiver, looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Huzzie transferred to UNC from East Tennessee State prior to the 2023 season. Huzzie had been a standout at the FCS level, earning All-America honors in 2022 after intercepting six passes that season. He continued to make an impact at UNC, picking off three more passes in 2023 and earning an All-ACC honorable mention nod. In his final season as a Tar Heel, he nabbed another interception and returned a punt for a touchdown.

OL Willie Lampkin – Los Angeles Rams (Undrafted free agent)

Image via UNC Athletic Communications

Lampkin came to UNC via Coastal Carolina, where he spent the first three seasons of his career and made 38 consecutive starts. He became an immediate starter at UNC, where he was named third team All-ACC in 2023. The 2024 campaign saw even more accolades for Lampkin, who was named first team All-ACC and first team All-America and won the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He became the first UNC offensive lineman since 2015 to be named a first team All-American.

TE Bryson Nesbit – Minnesota Vikings (Undrafted free agent)

North Carolina tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) looks to stiff-arm Georgia Tech defensive back Omar Daniels (21) and linebacker Kyle Efford, rear right, as he runs after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Nesbit became a favorite target of Drake Maye at UNC, as the big tight end finished with 41 catches for 585 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. The effort earned Nesbit first team All-ACC honors. He came back in 2024 and was productive throughout the beginning of the season, but a wrist injury prematurely ended his college career.

WR J.J. Jones – Jacksonville Jaguars (Undrafted free agent)

image via UNC Athletic Communications

Jones caught six of his 11 career touchdown receptions in his final season as a Tar Heel, when he finished with 36 total catches for 582 yards. His 16.17 yards per reception ranked second on the team among players with at least 10 receptions, and his 36 catches ranked third.

TE John Copenhaver – Jacksonville Jaguars (Undrafted free agent)

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Andy Mead

Copenhaver had the most productive season of his career in 2024, setting career highs in receptions (40) and receiving yards (414) while tying a career high with four touchdown catches. He played in all 13 of UNC’s games during the season.

WR Nate McCollum – New York Giants (Undrafted free agent)

UNC’s Nate McCollum wrestles in a pass for a touchdown against Minnesota on September 16, 2023. (Photo via AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

McCollum played two seasons with the Tar Heels after beginning his collegiate career at Georgia Tech. He made an impact in multiple ways, totaling 743 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air and 40 yards and a touchdown on the ground in his two seasons with UNC. In 2024, McCollum also returned 17 kickoffs for 448 yards, an average of 26.4 yards per return.

DL Jahvaree Ritzie – New England Patriots (Undrafted free agent)

Image via UNC Athletics Communications

The 2024 season saw Ritzie achieve career highs in both tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (6.5). Ritzie also produced an all-time highlight with an 84-yard interception return for a touchdown at Virginia, his first-ever interception and touchdown. He also forced a fumble.

DE Des Evans – Tennessee Titans (Undrafted free agent)

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Andy Mead

A former five-star recruit who was rated as North Carolina’s top prep player in his class, Evans spent five seasons with the Tar Heels. His final campaign was his most productive, as he logged career highs in total tackles (38), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (five).

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