Some 26 former North Carolina players were on National Football League opening day rosters. That’s one more than last season and includes active players, injured reserve and practice squad members. Duke had 20, up four from 2025.
Houston and Tennessee had the most former UNCers (three each), Cincy four Duke players. Roughly 375 former ACC players were in the NFL.
Former UNC players in the NFL with position, team: CB Alijah Huzzie, practice squad, RB British Brooks, S MJ Stewart, IR, Houston; LB Amari Gainer, Miami practice; QB Drake Maye, WR Mack Hollins, New England; QB Sam Howell, RB Javonte Williams, Dallas; CB Thaddeus Dixon, IR, N.Y. Giants; WR Dyami Brown, Washington; WR Dometez Walker, LB Kaimon Rucker, Baltimore practice; LB Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh.
Also, CB Marcus Allen, IR, DE Johvaree Ritzie, Minnesota practice; WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis; QB Mitch Trubisky, LB Cedric Gray, RB Michael Carter Tennessee practice; OT Asim Richards, RB Ty Chandler, IR, New Orleans; G Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City; RB Omarian Hampton, LA Chargers; OT Austin Blaske, LA Rams practice; LB Chaz Surratt, Seattle; C Willie Lamkin, Philadelphia.
Former Duke players: DT DeWayne Carter, Buffalo; LS Thomas Hennessy, New York Jets; CB Michael Carter, New York Giants; CB Chandler Rivers, Baltimore; OT Brian Parker, IR, LB Shaka Heyward, LB Joe-Giles Harris, WR Jordan Moore, Cincinnati practice; CB Josh Blackwell, Chicago; C Jacob Monk, Green Bay; QB Daniel Jones, RB Anderson Castle, Indianapolis practice; DE Wesley Williams, Jacksonville; DT Aaron Hall, Carolina; DE Chris Rumph II, New Orleans; LS Evan Deckers, C Graham Bantom, Tampa Bay; TE Noah Gray, Kansas City; G Justin Pickett, Las Vegas; DE Vincent Anthony, San Francisco practice.