A true freshman has burst onto the scene for the UNC football program

Throughout the offseason and through three games of the 2025 season, we've heard a lot of talk about the UNC football program's defensive line unit.

Built with a mix of veteran transfers, Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels are looking for some of these guys to burst onto the scene. While the guys with prior collegiate experience have taken most of the attention, a true freshman is having a very underrated start to his career at North Carolina.

Defensive tackle Xavier Lewis has been producing at a high level. The Raleigh, North Carolina native is PFF College's highest graded true freshman defensive tackle, having a grade of 81.9 through the UNC football program's first three contests.

Lewis is a guy that hasn't been talked about as much as others, but he sure is making the most of his early opportunities to see the field as a freshman. The results have proven that thus far, indicating that the UNC football program may have just found a fixture along the defensive line for years to come.

Of course, three games isn't a drastic sample size, especially considering the strength of schedule following the season opener against TCU. However, give credit where credit is due: Lewis is producing at a high level regardless, helping create havoc for opposing offenses as they aim to move the football.

Belichick and the Tar Heels hope that Lewis can continue building on his success. In the meantime, no one will complain if he continues to fly under the radar- it's been working up to this point for the UNC football program!