UNC Football: Jeremiah Gemmel earns invitation to 2022 Senior Bowl

UNC football standout Jeremiah Gemmel has earned an invitation to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Another solid season for North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel has earned him a number of distinguished honors, including being named to the All-ACC third team on Tuesday morning. He’s also received an invitation to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl, an annual all-star game that’s played at the conclusion of the college football season.

Gemmel, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound native of Newnan, Georgia, is the first draft-eligible senior UNC football player to earn and accept an invitation to this season’s Senior Bowl. The event is considered by most to be the premier college football all-star game, and one that hundreds of NFL scouts and general managers will attend in preparation for the upcoming draft.

Gemmel was only a three-star prospect coming out of East Coweta High School, but he’s had an incredible impact on the North Carolina football program over the past three years. Gemmel has started every game that he’s played in during that span, and recorded the second-most tackles on the team each season. He’s accumulated 235 tackles (135 solo, 100 assisted), 18.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defended, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Along with the stats he’s accumulated as a member of the Tar Heels, Gemmel has also proved to be a terrific leader in the locker room and on the field. Fellow senior linebacker Tomon Fox said as much in a recent interview when he praised Gemmel for his immeasurable intangibles that don’t show up in the box score.

"“As for the team, he’s a natural leader; that’s why we call him ‘The General,’ on the field,” Fox said. “Back when we were down, 2-9, Gemmel was always the one trying to cheer guys up, always the one trying to still lead and keep the energy up despite what was going on around us. Jeremiah is a great captain for us, he’s a great teammate, and he’s a great friend.”"

In addition to having the second-most tackles on the team this season, Gemmel ranks second in tackles for loss, tied for fourth in passes defended, fifth in sacks and fifth in sack yards. His growing resume and opportunity to play with other top seniors at the Reese’s Senior Bowl will help him over the next several months to improve his draft stock leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the UNC football program.