UNC Football: Top 10 Tar Heels selected in NFL Draft since 1980

Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 overall 1981 NFL Draft)

After completing his UNC Football career in 1980, Lawrence Taylor was leaving Chapel Hill with a reputation of destroying offenses. He finished his senior year with 16 sacks, earning him a consensus First Team All-American recognition and ACC Player of the Year. When he was drafted by the New York Giants no one knew just how dominant he would become.

In his rookie season, he would win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and the Defensive Player of the Year Award while making the All-Rookie Team. He would play his entire 13-year career with the Giants. Over that time he would be a two-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Most Valuable Player and a ten-time Pro-Bowl selection. He would be a three-time Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient as well as an eight-time First Team All-Pro and a two time Second Team All-Pro selection. He is a member of both the 75th and 100th Anniversary All Time Team. He is also a member of the 1980’s All Decade Team.

He finished his NFL career in 1993 with 1,089 tackles, 132.5 sacks, 56 forced fumbles and nine interceptions. He is in the Giants Ring of Honor and his number 56 will never be worn again.

The University of North Carolina has long been known as a basketball school. With six national championships to their credit, it is easy to understand why that is. However, these ten players, along with numerous others, have shown that the lights shine bright on the football field as well.

To Williams, Carter, Brown, Newsome and Surratt the road has been paved for you. What you do moving forward is your opportunity and greatness can be yours. Just know that for the rest of your lives you will forever be tied to the UNC Football program history. We are confident that you will carry it on.

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