The University of North Carolina is fortunate to have an elite-level athletics department, one in which various supports compete for national championships on an annual basis.
There are plenty of student-athletes who play a role in their respective team's success, but there are always those select individuals who go above-and-beyond to guide their squad to their highest peaks.
In recognition of these student-athletes, we've named our top athletes who competed for the Tar Heels during the 2025 calendar year. This is quite a star-studded list of individuals who have made an impact that will last for years to come.
To make the list, the student-athlete had to compete in their respective sport during the 2025 calendar year. Some student-athletes featured had their season overlap from 2024 to 2025, which makes them eligible.
Chloe Humphrey-Women's Lacrosse
There's no other way to start this list than to begin with Chloe Humphrey.
If you look up the word "dominant" in the dictionary, it's likely that you'll find a picture of Humphrey next to it. As a red shirt freshman, Humphrey set the lacrosse world on fire, leading the UNC women's lacrosse team to the only national championship that the university secured during the 2025 calendar year.
In 22 games played, Humphrey set a new program record for most goals in a single-season with 90. That mark also marks the record for a first-year player in NCAA history.
While scoring goals was her thing, facilitating was also a characteristic that helped define her season. She added 28 assists, giving her a total of 118 points for the season, the second-most in a single season in UNC women's lacrosse history.
Oh, and she also won the Tewaaraton Award, becoming not only the first Tar Heel to win it, but also the first first-year player to ever secure this prestigious award.
The crazy thing to think about is this: Humphrey had the greatest individual season in UNC women's lacrosse history, and she still has three seasons of eligibility remaining to top it!
By the time her college career comes to a close, Chloe Humphrey might just become the greatest athlete in the history of the University of North Carolina. That's just how insane her first season competing was.
Jake Knapp- Baseball
There's no better story in UNC athletics this season than the remarkable comeback story of Jake Knapp.
Knapp was forced to miss the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, and no one really knew what to expect when he was eventually able to return. Even though it seemed like he would miss at least the start of the 2025 season, the senior right-hander not only was ready to go, but found his way back into the "Friday night starter" role for Scott Forbes' team.
From there, the ace of the staff absolutely dominated.
Tallying a 14-0 record with an era just over two, Knapp led the UNC baseball program to an ACC tournament title and secured the Conference Pitcher of the Year award in the process. He also earned the National Pitcher of the Year award from the College Baseball Foundation and was tabbed as an All-American by multiple outlets.
Oh, and to top it off, Knapp went on to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Quite the year for Mr. Knapp!
Ethan Strand-Track & Field
Ethan Strand put together one heck of a career at North Carolina and capped it off in true style.
The author of the re-written record book, Strand ended his time at UNC as one of the most decorated athletes the university has ever seen.
Strand set all-time collegiate records in the indoor mile and the indoor 3,000 meters, becoming the first runner ever to do so in the same season. He also won the 2025 NCAA indoor 3,000-meter title and finished as the national runner-up in both the indoor distance medley relay and the outdoor 1,500 meters.
In recognition of his efforts, Strand earned the 2025 ACC Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year awards and also secured the 2025 ACC Indoor Track Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
To no surprise, Strand is still running, but now is doing so competing for Team USA.
Reese Brantmeier - Women's Tennis
When you mention the name "Reese Brantmeier," make sure you include "national champion" before you say it.
Brantmeier became just the second Tar Heel to ever win the NCAA Division I Women's Single National Championship, joining Jamie Loeb among this exclusive list. If you're unfamiliar with Brantmeier's journey to the national title, we suggest giving this article a read, one that breaks it down in its entirety.
David Ford-Men's Golf
To be honest, it probably would take longer to read David Ford's collegiate accomplishments list than it would be to actually golf a full round on a 18-hole course!
If you don't believe us, just go to his player profile on Go Heels.
When you win three National Player of the Year Awards in a single year, you know you had an elite performance in your respective sport.
Another highly decorated UNC student-athlete, David Ford set the bar high for future Tar Heels to follow. When you view the UNC men's golf record books, you are undoubtedly going to find Ford's name etched in there multiple times, as he's secured his place among the elite who have competed for the UNC men's golf program.