This weekend, UNC football will put a new piece of Kenan Stadium on display, and it comes with some well-earned Tar Heel history.
The school is unveiling an area that honors every UNC player in the Hall of Fame, with 12 names being recognized in two spots around the stadium. Pro Football Hall of Fame honorees will be featured on the southwest corner, while College Football Hall of Famers will be honored on the southeast corner.
It should make for a welcome distraction early in what could be a rough afternoon against Notre Dame if UNC does not clean up the issues that showed up against Clemson.
The Tar Heels don’t have an endless list of Hall of Famers, but the group they do have is a strong one.
UNC College Football Hall of Famers
Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice, Halfback
Carl Snavely, Coach
Jim Tatum, Coach
Art Weiner, End
Don McCauley, Running Back
Dré Bly, Cornerback
William Fuller, Defensive Tackle
Mack Brown, Coach
Harris Barton, Offensive Tackle
Julius Peppers, Defensive End
UNC Pro Football Hall of Famers
Lawrence Tayler, Outside Linebacker
Chris Hanburger, Linebacker
Julius Peppers, Defensive End
If you’ve been around long enough to remember UNC football beyond the last few seasons, there’s a good chance at least one of those names brings back real memories. And if you’re a teenager, the answer is probably Mack Brown.
That leads to the natural question: which Tar Heel Hall of Famer was the most fun to watch?
For me, it starts and ends with Julius Peppers. He was a favorite in college and again in the NFL, and part of what made that so easy was the path he took after UNC. He landed with my favorite NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, which made it rare to follow one player from college all the way to my pro team too.
There just aren’t many Tar Heel football players you can honestly say were the best in the league at their position, but Peppers belonged in that discussion for much of both his college and pro career. The bonus was that he also played for the basketball team.
Dré Bly also deserves a nod. Watching him shut down receivers and lead the NCAA in interceptions as a redshirt freshman left a lasting impression.
And yes, Lawrence Taylor is the answer for plenty of UNC fans. He was just a little before my time.
In Other News...
Belichick Makes Clear What Matters Now For UNC Football
Bill Belichick said the North Carolina football programs focus right now is less about the noise around it and more about getting the operation where it needs to be. With the Tar Heels navigating investigations and personnel changes, he framed the moment as one centered on doing things the right way and addressing the areas flagged by outside counsel.
Belichick also made clear how limited his role has been in the process, saying he was only involved in answering some questions while the legal details were handled by lawyers. For North Carolina, the message was less about the headlines themselves than the work still ahead, and what the program chooses to do next in response to them. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Is Giving Tar Heel Legends A Permanent Place In Kenan
Kenan Stadium is about to get a little more reflective, with North Carolina set to unveil two permanent Hall of Fame displays during the game against Notre Dame. The new honors will recognize 12 Tar Heel legends who made their mark in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, giving UNC a more permanent way to showcase some of the biggest names in program history.
The College Football Hall of Fame display will go in the northeast corner of the stadium, while the Pro Football Hall of Famers will be featured in the southeast corner. UNC has also invited the Hall of Famers and their families for a weekend celebration that will include on-field recognition and a formal dedication during the game, turning what is already a marquee matchup into a chance to connect the current program with the standard set by its greats. [Read more 🡒]
Former Tar Heels Reunite On A Sideline UNC Fans Will Want To Follow
A familiar Carolina connection is making its way back onto a sideline worth watching. King Rice, now the head coach at Monmouth, has hired Shammond Williams as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season and beyond, bringing together two former Tar Heels whose paths have now crossed again in the coaching ranks.
Williams arrives with a long rsum that should make him an intriguing addition anywhere, including more than 20 years of professional playing experience and 13 years in college coaching. His recent stops include Denver and Old Dominion, and Rice has made no secret of his excitement about adding a former teammate to the staff, a reunion UNC fans will naturally keep an eye on even from a distance. [Read more 🡒]