UNC Football: Tomon Fox to return to Chapel Hill for 2021 season

The UNC football program received a huge defensive boost on Thursday, as one of their standout linebackers announced his return for the 2021 season.

After he participated in the UNC football program’s annual senior day, it appeared as if Tomon Fox was ready to move on from Chapel Hill. However, there’s been a change of plans.

In a post on social media, Fox announced that he will return for one more season in Chapel Hill. This is possible due to the NCAA rule granting players an additional year of eligibility due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fox was a major part of the Tar Heels in 2020, and should remain a vital asset in 2021. Over 12 games this season, the Lawrenceville, Georgia native posted a team-leading seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He also made 36 total tackles en route to helping the Tar Heels make their first major bowl appearance in 70 years.

This season will mark Fox’s sixth as a member of the Tar Heels football program. As a true freshman in 2016, Fox appeared in two games before getting injured. He received a medical redshirt and sat out the remainder of the season.

Once he returned to the field, Fox’s role on this team gradually grew. As a senior, Fox became an indispensable part of the team’s defensive unit.

Fox will be chasing some Tar Heel history in his final season in Chapel Hill. Heading into 2021, Fox has 21 career sacks, which ties him with Lawrence Taylor for fifth-most in school history. Greg Ellis holds the record with 32.5 career sacks.

With Fox’s return, Mack Brown’s team is expected to have 10 starters return on the defensive side of the ball. Along with the addition of some highly-regarded talent, the Tar Heels’ defense could give opposing offenses nightmares next season.

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