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

By John Ellis

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Detail photo of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 56-45. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Detail photo of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Kenan Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 56-45. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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San Diego Chargers’ running back Natrone Means (C) is tripped up by Denver Broncos’ John Mobley after a gain of only two yards during first quarter action 08 November at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. AFP PHOTO/Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers’ running back Natrone Means (C) is tripped up by Denver Broncos’ John Mobley after a gain of only two yards during first quarter action 08 November at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. AFP PHOTO/Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Natrone Means (No. 41 overall, 1993 NFL Draft)

Leaving Chapel Hill after the 1992 season, Natrone Means left a lasting impression on those around him. He finished his college career with 3,074 yards for a 5.1 average yards per attempt that resulted in 34 touchdowns. He would rush for over a thousand yards in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also on the receiving end of 61 passes that totaled 500 yards. He would go on to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers. During his NFL career, he would also play for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers. He would leave professional football after the 2000 season.

The 1994 season was his most recognizable as he made the Pro-Bowl as well as receiving an All-Pro selection. He was also named to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009. He was the youngest player to ever score a touchdown in the Super Bowl until that record was broken by Jamal Lewis. In 2012, Means was a finalist to be inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame. Means would play for seven seasons in the NFL and would finish with 5,215 yards that resulted in 45 touchdowns.

After his football career was over, Means got into coaching on both the college and high school level. Means has now come full circle as he has returned to UNC as an offensive analyst.

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