UNC Football legend Julius Peppers is a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer

Was there ever even a doubt?!

Former UNC football legend Julius Peppers is heading to Canton, Ohio, as he'll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024. The news was announced on Thursday night during the annual NFL Honors program.

Before his NFL career even got started, Peppers made a name for himself as a dominant force for the UNC football program. Peppers played for the Tar Heels from 1999-2001, as he was a unanimous first-team All-American during the 2021 season. He won the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation's top defensive player and the Rotary Lombardi Award, which at the time was given to the nation's top interior lineman. He finished his college career with 177 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 53 TFL, five INTs and five forced fumbles.

After dominating in Chapel Hill, Peppers took his talent to the pros, where he went on to be the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. He went on to play 17 seasons (mostly for the Carolina Panthers, fittingly), as he earned 9 Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honors, along with three second-team All-Pro honors. Over his career, Peppers tallied 719 tackles, 159.5 sacks, 175 TFL, 52 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries and 11 INTs. His 159.5 sacks are the fourth most since sacks became an official stat back in 1982.

Needless to say, Julius Peppers is one of the greatest players to ever put on the pads, as his Hall of Fame career was jumpstarted by his success as a member of the UNC football program.

Peppers is set to become the third UNC football player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Chris Hanburger (2011) and Lawrence Taylor (1999). The members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 class will officially be enshrined on August 3, 2024.

Now when you say Julius Peppers' name, not only must you credit him with being a UNC football legend, but you also have to rightfully recognize him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.