North Carolina comes out of its bye week with a major test ahead, and one of the biggest reasons the Tar Heels have any confidence at all on that side of the ball is Xavier Lewis.
The sophomore defensive tackle has been a wrecking ball through the first three games of the season, piling up 17 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. That sack total is tied for fourth-most in the country, and Lewis has done it in only three games while the players ahead of him have each played one more.
He has been steady and relentless from the jump, recording two sacks in each of North Carolina’s first three games. For a player who managed just 0.5 sacks as a freshman while appearing in 11 games, the leap has been massive.
That growth matters for a Tar Heels team sitting at 2-1 and now preparing to host No. 3 Notre Dame.
North Carolina is coming off a tough loss to Clemson, and if it wants a shot at knocking off the Fighting Irish, the defense will need to carry a heavy load. The Tar Heels’ defense is improved from a year ago, but Notre Dame’s offense presents a different level of challenge.
Lewis is already forcing his way into the conversation around North Carolina’s single-season sack record. He is 10 sacks away from tying Lawrence Taylor’s mark of 16, a number that has stood since 1980.
Whether Lewis can keep this pace going is still an open question. But right now, he has been one of the biggest reasons North Carolina has looked better than expected, and if that continues, the Tar Heels could keep turning heads in the ACC.
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 🡒]