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UNC Football: Former Tar Heel receives NFL Tryouts

By Jordan Falls

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Austin Proehl #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against the James Madison Dukes during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Austin Proehl #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against the James Madison Dukes during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC football wide receiver Austin Proehl has earned a try-out opportunity for two different NFL teams, one being a team his dad played for.

On Sunday, the XFL Communications Department announced that former UNC football wide receiver Austin Proehl has heard from two NFL teams interested in him trying out for their franchise.

The son of two-time Super Bowl Champion and 16-year NFL veteran Ricky Proehl heard from the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers that both franchises are interested in having the XFL receiver try out for their squads.

Austin spent 2018 and 2019 on three NFL practice squads; the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Rams. He then began a career in the XFL in 2020 with the Seattle Dragons. Following a season in the XFL, he made his way back to the NFL spending 2021-2022 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants on practice squads.

He was recently selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2023 XFL Draft. During his time in the XFL with Seattle and St. Louis, he has played in 14 games, starting in 9 of them. Proehl has a total of 41 receptions for 448 yards, averaging 10.93 yards per catch. He has caught four touchdowns during his pro career.

The Panthers and Eagles are both franchises most likely looking to add depth at the wide receiver position and could be looking to do that by adding players to the practice squad for training camp from XFL rosters.

Austin was part of the UNC football program from 2014-2017. His best season as a Tar Heel was his junior year when he caught 43 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns. Many Panther fans remember Austin’s dad, Ricky, playing for the franchise when he was a receiver in 2003 that made the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl 38.

dark. Next. UNC Football: Michael Merdinger commits to North Carolina

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