Melkart Abou Jaoude has been on an absolute tear, making life extremely difficult for opposing quarterbacks. The Newton, New Jersey native is starting to earn the accolades he rightfully deserves, as he earned the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week Award following the UNC football program's victory over Syracuse.
The ACC’s sack leader is the Defensive Lineman of the Week! @Melkartaj 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Jqn5hr14O8
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 3, 2025
In just a span of two weeks, Abou Jaoude has claimed the top spot on the ACC's sack leaderboard. Following a three sack performance against Virginia on October 25, Abou Jaoude put together a spooky performance on Halloween night, recording two additional sacks to go along with 6 total tackles (2.5 for loss), helping guide the UNC football program to its first conference victory of the Bill Belichick era.
Early on, the Tar Heels desperately were in need of any type of pass rush. After two sacks against Richmond on September 13, Abou Jaoude went sackless for the three games following, as everyone hoped that his multi-sack game against the Spiders would be the jumpstart he, and his fellow defensive linemen, needed.
Fortunately, the skid ended in a big way, resulting in five sacks over the previous two games for the transfer from Delaware.
Progression and improvement have been the two tales to the 2025 UNC football season, as Melkart Abou Jaoude certainly fits that bill. He's a guy who has developed nicely into his role and continues to progress, making him a cornerstone piece to the defensive line unit for not only this year, but next season as well.
Abou Jaoude and the UNC football program return to Chapel Hill on Saturday for a late afternoon clash against the visiting Stanford Cardinals.