You’ve seen the jerseys. The light blue, that specific shade of "Carolina Blue" that sticks out in a sea of muddy reds and greys on a Sunday afternoon. But for a long time, the narrative around UNC players in NFL circles was... well, it wasn't great. People used to joke that Chapel Hill was a basketball school that occasionally played football.
That’s dead. Honestly, if you're still holding onto that "soft" label, you haven't been watching the New England Patriots or the Dallas Cowboys lately.
Right now, we are seeing a massive shift. North Carolina has turned into a pro-quarterback factory and a haven for bruising running backs. We’re not just talking about roster fillers. We are talking about guys like Drake Maye taking over the most storied franchise in league history and Javonte Williams silencing every critic who said he was finished after a shredded knee.
Drake Maye and the New Era of Tar Heel QBs
Let’s talk about Drake Maye for a second. It’s hard to overstate how much pressure was on this kid. He went number three overall to the Patriots. In the 2025 season, he wasn't just "good for a rookie." He was the reason New England fans stopped looking at mock drafts by November.
During a wild game against the Bills in December 2025, Maye was just clinical. He went seven-of-eight for 84 yards early, but then he started doing that thing he did at Kenan Memorial Stadium—the "I’ll just do it myself" scramble. He finished that year with a 337-yard masterpiece in the Wild Card round against the Chargers. It’s weird to say, but UNC might have actually produced the heir to the New England throne.
Then you have Sam Howell. Look, the Washington era was a mess. He got hit more than a crash-test dummy. But after moving through Seattle and Minnesota, he landed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Even as a backup behind Jalen Hurts, Howell’s 3,946-yard season with the Commanders in 2023 showed the league that UNC quarterbacks have the "it" factor. They’re tough. They’re smart. They don't quit.
And yeah, Mitch Trubisky is still hanging around. He’s in Buffalo now, providing that veteran presence. Say what you want about his time in Chicago, but the man has stayed in the league for a decade. That doesn't happen by accident.
The Ground Game: Javonte Williams and the 1,000-Yard Resurgence
If the quarterbacks are the flash, the running backs are the soul of the UNC players in NFL pipeline.
Javonte Williams is the headline here. People really thought he was done. After that horrific knee injury in 2022 where he tore basically everything—ACL, LCL, the works—his efficiency in Denver plummeted. He looked slow. He was averaging 3.6 yards a carry in 2023.
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Then he signed a one-year "prove it" deal with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.
He didn't just prove it; he shattered expectations. Williams finished the 2025 regular season with 1,210 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the RB11 in fantasy football. Think about that for a second. A guy with a rebuilt knee became a top-tier workhorse in the most scrutinized backfield in America. Even after a shoulder stinger late in the season, the Cowboys have made re-signing him their "top priority" for 2026.
But he’s not alone.
- Omarion Hampton: The rookie for the Los Angeles Chargers. He was a first-round pick in 2025 and immediately brought that physical, downhill style Jim Harbaugh loves.
- Ty Chandler: He’s been a spark plug for the Minnesota Vikings.
- British Brooks: Making the Houston Texans roster as a free agent is a feat in itself.
It’s a specific type of runner. They aren't track stars who avoid contact. They’re the guys who seek it out.
Why Josh Downs is the Most Underrated Receiver in the League
Every year there is a receiver who just finds the soft spot in the zone and stays there. That’s Josh Downs.
In 2025, playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Downs caught 58 balls for 566 yards and four touchdowns. Those aren't "Pro Bowl" numbers on paper, but if you watch the tape, he’s the guy moving the chains on 3rd and 7. He’s 5'9", but he plays like he's 6'2".
The chemistry he’s built in Indy is reminiscent of his record-breaking days at UNC where he hauled in 101 catches in a single season. He’s basically become the security blanket for the Colts’ offense.
The Defensive Stalwarts Nobody Talks About
We spend so much time talking about the guys who score touchdowns that we forget the guys preventing them.
Cole Holcomb has been a heart-and-soul linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s had to fight through injuries, but when he’s on the field, the defense looks different. Then you have Cedric Gray with the Tennessee Titans. He was a fourth-round steal who has quickly worked his way into the rotation.
It’s interesting to see the mix. You have 15 Tar Heels on active 53-man rosters as we hit the start of 2026. Some were recruited by Larry Fedora, but the majority are now Mack Brown’s guys. The "Mack Brown 2.0" era at UNC is finally bearing fruit in the professional ranks.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "UNC Pipeline"
The biggest misconception is that UNC players are "system" guys.
People said that about Sam Howell. They said it about Drake Maye. The argument was that Phil Longo’s "Air Raid" or the subsequent schemes were just inflating stats.
The reality? These guys are actually over-prepared for the NFL.
Look at the offensive line. Joshua Ezeudu with the Giants and Asim Richards with the Saints. They are coming out of a system that forced them to play fast and think faster. When they get to an NFL camp, the speed of the game doesn't shock them as much as it does a guy coming out of a plodding, old-school offense.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you’re tracking UNC players in NFL rosters for fantasy football or just out of pure fandom, keep these things in mind for the 2026 season:
- Watch the Javonte Williams Contract: If Dallas signs him to a multi-year deal, he is a locked-in top-15 RB. His recovery is complete. He is "the guy" again.
- Drake Maye’s Year Two Leap: Historically, New England quarterbacks (the good ones, anyway) make a massive jump in their second year. Maye already has the Wild Card experience. 2026 could be his MVP-conversation year.
- The "Chargers Effect" for Hampton: Omarion Hampton is in the perfect system for his talent. Under Harbaugh, his volume will stay high. He’s a prime candidate for a breakout 2026.
- Draft Value: Tar Heels tend to fall slightly in the NFL Draft compared to players from Alabama or Georgia. If you see a UNC prospect in the 3rd or 4th round, they are usually "pro-ready" starters by year two.
The days of North Carolina being a "basketball school" are gone. When you look at the NFL today, you aren't just seeing Tar Heels on the sidelines; you're seeing them under center, in the backfield, and leading the huddle. They’ve finally arrived.