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College football is just two months away. For the UNC football program, this provides a much-needed opportunity to reset and purge from a horrendous 2025.
North Carolina played to a 4-8 record last fall, snapping its streak of six consecutive bowl appearances. Despite the Tar Heels struggling greatly in Bill Belichick's first season as a collegiate head coach, several players carved out roles as future stars.
Three of those guys: defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude, wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive back Jaiden Patterson, each earned spots on Phil Steele's Preseason All-ACC Team.
Abou-Jaoude is First Team All-ACC and Fourth Team All-America. Shipp is Third Team All-ACC, while Patterson is Fourth Team All-ACC.
Transferring in from Delaware before the 2025 campaign, Abou-Jaoude quickly emerged as the leader of UNC's defensive line. With 47 tackles, a team-high 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last fall, highlighted by a 3-game stretch with eight sacks from October-November, Abou-Jaoude will be a force to stop on Saturdays this fall.
On an unproven receiving corps, Shipp emerged as North Carolina's leader with 60 catches, 671 yards and six touchdowns. The junior from Charlotte, who'll likely catch passes from Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards this fall, will once again be his new quarterback's top target.
Patterson rose to become a key member of the Tar Heels' secondary, totaling 34 tackles (23 solo), five pass deflections and an interception. With plenty defensive turnover after 2025, Patterson will be the 2026 guy in UNC's secondary.
North Carolina kicks off its season on Saturday, August 29 at 12 p.m. against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. Will the Tar Heels' preseason, award-winning trio lead them to greater success this fall?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football: Melkart Abou-Jaoude highlights Preseason All-Americans
Continue reading...
North Carolina played to a 4-8 record last fall, snapping its streak of six consecutive bowl appearances. Despite the Tar Heels struggling greatly in Bill Belichick's first season as a collegiate head coach, several players carved out roles as future stars.
Three of those guys: defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude, wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive back Jaiden Patterson, each earned spots on Phil Steele's Preseason All-ACC Team.
Abou-Jaoude is First Team All-ACC and Fourth Team All-America. Shipp is Third Team All-ACC, while Patterson is Fourth Team All-ACC.
Transferring in from Delaware before the 2025 campaign, Abou-Jaoude quickly emerged as the leader of UNC's defensive line. With 47 tackles, a team-high 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last fall, highlighted by a 3-game stretch with eight sacks from October-November, Abou-Jaoude will be a force to stop on Saturdays this fall.
On an unproven receiving corps, Shipp emerged as North Carolina's leader with 60 catches, 671 yards and six touchdowns. The junior from Charlotte, who'll likely catch passes from Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards this fall, will once again be his new quarterback's top target.
Patterson rose to become a key member of the Tar Heels' secondary, totaling 34 tackles (23 solo), five pass deflections and an interception. With plenty defensive turnover after 2025, Patterson will be the 2026 guy in UNC's secondary.
North Carolina kicks off its season on Saturday, August 29 at 12 p.m. against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. Will the Tar Heels' preseason, award-winning trio lead them to greater success this fall?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football: Melkart Abou-Jaoude highlights Preseason All-Americans
Continue reading...
