Peyton Seelmann was seemingly everywhere when UNC needed him most against Duke.
Now, the ACC is rewarding him for it.
Seelmann was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week following his outstanding performance in UNC's 24-20 rivalry victory over Duke.
Peyton Seelmann is your ACC Linebacker of the week! pic.twitter.com/ddQ4wQ3Jkk
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 19, 2026
The Richmond transfer finished with a game-high 16 total tackles, including seven solo stops and nine assisted tackles. He also recorded a half-tackle for loss, a half-sack, and a quarterback hurry.
But simply looking at the final number doesn't fully explain how important Seelmann was to the Tar Heels' victory.
Peyton Seelmann stepped up when UNC needed him most
The Tar Heels watched a 17-0 lead evaporate as Duke scored 20 unanswered points, forcing them to respond late in the rivalry game.
Seelmann was right in the middle of the defensive effort to
Of his 16 tackles, 13 came after halftime, including seven during the fourth quarter alone. Late in the game, his pressure forced an intentional grounding penalty, and Seelmann receiving credit for a half-sack and a tackle for loss on the play.
His 16 tackles were not only a season high but the most by a North Carolina defender since Cedric Gray recorded 17 against NC State on November 25, 2023. It was also the most tackles recorded by any ACC player during Week 7 and the second-highest single-game total this season.
Seelmann arrived in Chapel Hill after recording 120 tackles for the Spiders in 2025, earning First Team All-Patriot League honors. He entered his first season at UNC on the Butkus Award Watch List, and Saturday's performance shows exactly why.
The Tar Heels needed someone to step up defensively with the Victory Bell hanging in the balance, and Seelmann answered the call.
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