UNC in NFL: Tracking the Tar Heels in Week One

 Julius Peppers: Defensive End, Carolina Panthers.

It had been seven seasons since we last saw the timeless Julius Peppers in a Carolina Panthers jersey, and he did not disappoint.

At 37 years of age, Peppers has settled into a situational role among Carolina’s deep defensive line. However, a limited amount of snaps did not keep him from making his presence felt this past Sunday.

In a mere 26 snaps, Peppers recorded half a sack and a tackle. His hit on Brian Hoyer puts him only 6.5 sacks away from fourth place all time.

The Panthers also lined him up on field goal and point after protection.

With the Tar Heel great in the fold, the Panthers have added another weapon to a recently great defense.

The Panthers looked solid against the San Francisco 49ers in a 23-3 win in Santa Clara and hope to return to the form that took them to the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

Peppers’ return to Carolina has been a successful one thus far and is a storybook ending to a Hall of Fame career.

The only thing Peppers has left to accomplish in the NFL is a Super Bowl, and how sweet it would be if it came as his retirement party in his return to Charlotte.

One can dream, but if Sunday’s performance is any indication, Peppers could have a shot in his last NFL season.

Zach Brown: Linebacker, Washington Redskins.

Perhaps the best game of any Tar Heel in Week One belonged to none other than Zach Brown.

The newly signed Redskin notched 12 total tackles including two for loss, and even had a sack taken away.

Pro Football Focus gave him the grade of 84.7, including a run defense grade of 94.3.

The football grading website had some nice things to say about the former Tar Heel in:

"Brown’s energy and aggression adds a new dimension to Washington’s front seven… Brown lived in the backfield, adjusting to the misdirection of Philadelphia’s run game with ease."

Brown garnered attention for knifing through the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 1 to bring down bruising back LeGarrette Blount in the backfield.

After a stellar season last year for the Buffalo Bills, Brown found himself a free agent unusually late in the offseason.

The Redskins signed him to a team friendly one year, and it has already paid them dividends.

Brown looks to be the backbone of a talented young defense lacking leadership at various positions.

Now a veteran, Brown can provide leadership coupled with strong performances on the field.

Though the Redskins ended up losers in Week One, Brown had a message for fans after the game:

https://twitter.com/CSNRedskins/status/907036585199357952

It only took a few months for Brown to become a team and fan favorite in Washington DC.

Rumors have already begun to spread that the Redskins are considering signing Brown to a long-term deal. The future for Zach Brown continues to shine brightly and will continue to do so no matter where he ends up.

Several Heels gain their first taste of NFL action.

Nazair Jones: Defensive Tackle, Seattle Seahawks.

Naz Jones had the most memorable day of any Tar Heel rookie as he posted a tackle and picked up a big interception on Aaron Rodgers.

Anytime you’re able to pick off Rodgers is impressive, but this interception was a little more memorable than average.

Though a dumb penalty by Jeremy Lane of the Seahawks kept this from being a touchdown, it was still a big debut from the former Heel.

Plays like this flashed throughout Jones’s career at Carolina, and it only took one NFL game for them to make their way to the big stage.

Ryan Switzer: Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys.

A quiet start for the electric playmaker showed signs of promise for the rest of the season. Though Switzer failed to record a catch, he took two kicks back for 42 yards and took a punt for a few yards before it was called back due to penalty.

It is encouraging to see Switzer on both punt and kick return this early in his career, and it won’t be long before he starts making noise on special teams.

It was an emotional day indeed for the Switzer family as his dad tweeted this out shortly before and after his son took the field:

Mitch Trubisky: Quarterback, Chicago Bears.

Trubisky was unable to see the field as a backup to Mike Glennon during Week 1

Mack Hollins: Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles.

Hollins wasn’t able to record a catch on offense but was busy as a gunner on special teams. His special teams abilities were evident at Carolina and have carried thus far to the NFL.

https://twitter.com/Ike58Reese/status/906911024774828032

TJ Logan: Running Back, Arizona Cardinals.

Logan continues to nurse a wrist injury that will keep him out for half the season.