UNC Football: 4 pleasant surprises through 4 weeks of action

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 19: University of North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown looks on during a pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and Wrexham AFC at Kenan Stadium on July 19, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

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Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) sacks Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Christian Veilleux (11) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. The Tar Heels won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Kaimon Rucker

Since Gene Chizik arrived on campus, one of his biggest success stories on the defensive side of the ball is Kaimon Rucker.

The senior has become a force for the Tar Heels defense, as he’s been a big part of the team’s revamped pass rush. If you’ve watched any UNC football so far this season, it’s likely you’ve heard Rucker’s name discussed many times as part of the given broadcasts.

Rucker already has four sacks on the season, which is tied for the most he’s had in a single season as a Tar Heel. His 7.5 current tackles for loss are a new career-best, and he’s on pace to record new career-highs in solo tackles and total tackles.

When discussing how the Tar Heels’ defense has been much better this season, it would be wrong not to mention what Kaimon Rucker has brought to the table.

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