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By the SouthernPigskin.com Staff
In the "Perfect Ten" series, members of the SouthernPigskin.com Staff will rank the ten best players at each school since 1975. Next up, North Carolina.
In an attempt to help bring into to focus just a small piece of the humbling tradition of football in the south, the SouthernPigskin.com Staff will rank the top ten players at each ACC and SEC school from 1975 until now. These post-Vietnam War rankings, if you will, will help showcase the best of the best in the relatively modern era of southern college football.
1. Lawrence Taylor, LB (1978-1980) - Revolutionized the linebacker position in college football, earning All-American and ACC Player of the Year honors in 1980. Had 16 sacks as his final season. Simply puy, one of the most dynamic defensive players ever.
2. Dre' Bly, CB (1995-1998) - One of the most accomplished cornerbacks in college football history. Bly is the only two-time consensus first-team All-American in school history and the only three-time first-team All-American in ACC history.
3. Julius Peppers, DE (1999-2001) - Won both Bednarik, Lombardi and Willis Awards in 2001 and is second in career sacks at UNC with 30.5. After earning second-team All-American honors as a sophomore, Peppers was a consensus first-team All-American as a junior.
4. Amos Lawrence, RB (1977-1980) - The only ACC player and one of only four players in college football history to rush for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, Lawrence holds the UNC career record and is second in ACC history with 4,391 yards rushing. Herushed for more than 100 yards in a game on 25 occasions and his 286 yards rushing vs. Virginia in 1977 was NCAA freshman rushing record at the time.
5. William Fuller, DT (1980-1983) - An All-American as both a junior and a senior, earning consensus honors his final season. Fuller is one of just three defensive linemen ever to make All-ACC three straight times. Holds the school record with 57 career tackles for loss.
6. Kelvin Bryant, RB (1979-1982) - Earned All-ACC honors three times as he had three straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Tar Heels. Holds the NCAA record for the most touchdowns scored in both a two and three game stretch.
7. Mike Voight, RB (1973-1976) - Was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976 and is second in Carolina history in scoring and rushing with 254 points and 3,971 yards, respectively. Also ranks sixth in career rushing yards in ACC history. Voight twice led the ACC in rushing.
8. Greg Ellis, DE (1994-1997) - At a school where Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers played, Ellis is the program's career sack leader. He was a three-time first-team All-ACC member and a first-team All-American in 1997. Like Taylor and Peppers, Ellis went on to be a high first round NFL Draft pick.
9. Marcus Jones, DE (1992-1995) - Earned All-American attention his final two seasons at North Carolina before becoming a first round NFL Draft selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones is now a MMA fighter.
10. Brian Simmons, LB (1994-1997) - One of the premier linebackers in the nation during his career, Simmons earned first-team All-American honors as a senior. Like many of the defensive players on this list, Simmons went on to be a first round NFL Draft selection.
Next: North Carolina State
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Comments
how close was Natrone Means Bidness from making this list?
All good players. For a while there UNC was sort of a tailback U. Hopefully BD will get them back there.
Up until recently, UNC had the most individuals with 1,000 yard season’s at like 24 or something. USC recently passed them with Bush and White. Last UNC runner to get it was Jonathan Linton in 1997 (what a team, they were robbed by the alliance bowls.) Really like Shaun Draughn and his instincts but he needs to hold on to the ball better.
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