When you look at the UNC football program's current roster, not many positional groups lost as much talent and depth as the team's defensive line unit.
During the 2024 season, the Tar Heels heavily relied on its upperclassmen along the defensive line to lead the way. Fast-forward to today, and most of those key contributors are off to greater ventures.
Kaimon Rucker, Jahvaree Ritzie, Des Evans, Kevin Hester Jr., Joshua Harris Sr. and Jacolbe Cowan all graduated and exhausted their college eligibility. Guys like Beau Atkinson and Travis Shaw (among others) landed with new teams via the transfer portal.
With all that, North Carolina was left with no returning starters or backups.
However, a new group has arrived and is looking to make their own mark, as Bill and Steve Belichick look to guide this unit to be a disruptive force throughout the 2025 season.
What We Know
This section for this positional group would probably be best to be labeled "what we don't know."
The defensive line unit is fully revamped. Filling the voids left by the departing veterans, especially Rucker and Atkinson, will be tough, but the UNC football program brought in some guys who they believe are more than capable of getting the job done.
Key Players
CJ Mims
A transfer from East Carolina, Mims will likely be called upon to help stabilize the interior defensive line unit. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder from New Bern, North Carolina is coming off a season in which he recorded 23 tackles and a forced fumble.
Isaiah Johnson
Another interior defensive lineman, Johnson is a redshirt junior from Camden, New Jersey. He appeared in 12 games a season ago for Arizona, playing a role in helping the Wildcats secure the trenches.
D'Antre Robinson
A 6-foot-4, 315-pound presence, Robinson is a transfer from Florida who arrives in Chapel Hill with a lot of potential. During his 11 games played a season ago, the former Florida Gator tallied 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks. North Carolina brought him in as a player with a ton of potential and multiple seasons of collegiate eligibility to work with.
Pryce Yates
After competing against the Tar Heels in the Fenway Bowl, Pryce Yates is now set to play his next game as a member of the UNC football program.
Yates likely factors in as a situational edge rusher, given his speed and ability to shift his way past offensive linemen. Knowing how the Belichick's operate, don't be shocked if Yates ends up being a major contributor among this unit in 2025.
Melkart Abou-Jaoude
Abou-Jaoude made it a habit of getting to the quarterback during his time at Delaware. Coming off a 6.5 sack season, the Tar Heels are hopeful that the Newton, New Jersey native can continue that trend for his new squad in what will be his redshirt junior season.
Smith Vilbert
A former standout at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, Smith Vilbert is a guy who the Tar Heels believe has yet to break out. The redshirt senior appeared in 35 games during his time at Penn State, recording 12 tackles in 16 appearances a season ago.
With a chance at a bigger role, Vilbert is a guy who could make some noise in his final collegiate season.
Outlook
This group features guys with untapped potential. The trend with the defensive lineman additions seems to be that North Carolina took a chance on guys that don't necessarily have the college production but could be players who contribute in some way, shape or form this upcoming season.
Needless to say: this group needs to be good in order for this year's team to be successful.